Stephen Sireci explored criticisms of testing in the 2026 Womer Lecture
Dr. Stephen Sireci, Distinguished University Professor of Psychometrics and Executive Director of the Center for Educational Assessment at University of Massachusetts Amherst presented the 2026 Frank B. Womer Lecture. His talk, "Don’t Get Testy with Me! Addressing Criticisms of Educational Tests to Improve Student Learning," explored testing criticism, including changes in the way the public perceives educational testing. Sireci discussed test design approaches that address major testing criticisms and how developments in assessment practices can be used to create tests that not only support student learning but also can serve a more effective and fair accountability system.
Stephen G. Sireci’s research is primarily in educational test development and evaluation, particularly issues of validity, cross-lingual assessment, standard setting, and computer-based testing. His Ph.D. is in psychometrics from Fordham University and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees are in psychology from Loyola College (Maryland). Previously, he was Senior Psychometrician (GED Testing Service), Psychometrician (Uniform CPA Exam), and Research Supervisor of Testing (Newark Board of Education).
He is on several advisory committees including committees for Texas and Puerto Rico, and is a Fellow of AERA, a Fellow of Division 5 of APA, and past Co-Editor of the International Journal of Testing and the Journal of Applied Testing Technology. He was President of NERA and a member of the Board of Directors for NCME. His awards include the School of Education’s Outstanding Teacher Award, Chancellor’s Medal, Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Research and Creative Activity, and Conti Faculty Fellowship from UMass; the Award for Distinguished Mentoring from NERA, and the Unsung Hero award from Loyola College Rugby.
The Frank B. Womer Lectureship is made possible by a generous endowment from Dr. Frank B. Womer, who served the Marsal Family School of Education as a professor of educational measurement for 30 years. Dr. Womer was staff director of the National Assessment for Educational Progress when it launched the first nationwide effort to assess student achievement in basic subjects. He also founded the annual Michigan School Testing Conference which continues to this day under the sponsorship of the Marsal Family School of Education. His gift reflects his abiding commitment to Marsal Education and its role in improving the quality of education in a democratic society.