Digital Portfolio
Saro Mohammed holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science in brain and cognitive sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is Founder and Principal of Ed Research Works where she works to ensure research equitably improves K-12 learning experiences.
Most recently, Saro was a Managing Partner at The Learning Accelerator (TLA; scroll to Alumni) leading work on measurement to increase our evidence base of equitable blended practices. Prior to joining TLA in October 2014, Saro was the inaugural assistant director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER) and The Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts (VGC). She was also MCPER’s director of web-based content and dissemination, associate director of program evaluation, principal investigator and a director of the Middle School Matters Institute, and principal investigator of the external evaluation of the RAISEup Texas project, among others. Saro has experience with large-scale research, technical assistance, dissemination, and external evaluation projects. She has also managed large datasets and co-led organizational and project-specific data management, analysis, and measurement teams.
Saro is a founding board member of Capacity Catalyst; and a co-founder of the Teaching and Learning Research Community. In addition, she volunteers at the United Way for Greater Austin, serving on their PreK Partnerships Board, and Mission Advancement Committee; and as an MIT Educational Counselor for the central Texas region.
Most recently, Saro was a Managing Partner at The Learning Accelerator (TLA; scroll to Alumni) leading work on measurement to increase our evidence base of equitable blended practices. Prior to joining TLA in October 2014, Saro was the inaugural assistant director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk (MCPER) and The Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts (VGC). She was also MCPER’s director of web-based content and dissemination, associate director of program evaluation, principal investigator and a director of the Middle School Matters Institute, and principal investigator of the external evaluation of the RAISEup Texas project, among others. Saro has experience with large-scale research, technical assistance, dissemination, and external evaluation projects. She has also managed large datasets and co-led organizational and project-specific data management, analysis, and measurement teams.
Saro is a founding board member of Capacity Catalyst; and a co-founder of the Teaching and Learning Research Community. In addition, she volunteers at the United Way for Greater Austin, serving on their PreK Partnerships Board, and Mission Advancement Committee; and as an MIT Educational Counselor for the central Texas region.
Articles that have mentioned me and my work:
- 2020: Roundtable: recovery position
- 2020: We're embracing tech during lockdown – but can it replace the classroom?
- 2020: A New Year and a New Resolution: Building Equity and Knowledge-Sharing in Education Research
- 2019: Huston-Tillotson University Promotes Diversity In Austin
- 2019: Ambitious Initiative Brings Together Education Sector to "Map the EdTech Genome"
- 2019: iNACOL World Cafe: What Did We Learn?
- 2019: Keeping the Personal in Personalized Learning
- 2018: The ‘dirty secret’ about educational innovation
- 2018: Why a web of connections—not a single relationship—should surround students
- 2016: Rapid-cycle innovation should be the holy grail of education, and a repost of that article: 3 ways to keep education innovation alive at your school
- 2016: More schools have modern Internet and computers. What are they doing with them?
- 2016: EdTech 10: Measure Twice, Learn Once
- 2015: Guide Offers 5 Steps for Measuring the Impact of Blended Learning
- 2015: The Five Sets of Questions to Ask When Measuring Blended Learning
- 2015: EdTech 10: Leading Toward System Change with Policy, Partnerships and Progress
- 2015: The difference between research and evaluation
- 2015: The Learning Accelerator helps districts think about how to measure blended learning
- 2015: newschools Venture Fund Quarterly: Summer 2015, What We're Reading #2
- 2015: EdTech 10: Recentering for Students, Blended Schools & Tools #1
- 2015: A theory of action for why advocates believe blended learning can work
- 2015: Moving Beyond the 'Does Blended Learning Work?' Question
- 2015: Blended Learning Research Yields Limited Results, and a summary of that article: Research on Benefits of Blended Learning Consistently Inconclusive
- 2013: George W Bush Institute Selects Three Schools for Middle School Program
- 2010: Promises, Promises: Two Austin neighborhoods vie to bring down federal dollars to help transform communities
- 2001: Several from MIT aid Dorchester after-school program
Blog posts and articles I co/authored:
- I regularly contribute to DLC's Blog, TLA's BlendED, the Brookings Institution's Brown Center Chalkboard, and MVLRI's Research blog. These posts can be found on my blog page.
- 3/19/19: Sparks of Knowledge to Ignite Ed Research
- 11/9/18: Tips for Doing SXSW EDU Like a Local
- 3/28/18: Data, Data Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink: The Importance of Researcher-Practitioner Partnerships
- 11/17/16: A Measurement Agenda: Role of EdTech Developers?
- 7/19/16: Measuring Success of Innovative School Practices
- 5/5/16: Ask Not What Blended Learning Measurement Can Do For You…
- 2013: Strategic Planning for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in the Middle Grades
- May 2013: Education Research Matters
Many of the resources listed below can also be found on my previous organization's or institution's website posted in the library.
Digital Resources
Resources, tools, and apps I conceptualized and/or led development of:
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Technical Assistance resources I created:
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Sponsored Reports
Selected Peer Reviewed Publications and Presentations
Dissertation: Trini Talk or the Queen’s English? Navigating language varieties in the post-colonial, high stakes climate of “Standard Five” classrooms in Trinidad.
Projects I assisted on as an undergraduate researcher acknowledged as S. Sammy (Corkinlab, Wagnerlab, UROP):
- Mohammed, S. S., Rabbitt, B., Stanhope, D., Styers, M., Lopez, A., & Nchise, A. (2020). A First Look at Instructional Look Fors at LUSD: Reliability and Validity of Instructional Look For Educator Actions. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- *Price, C., Mohammed, S. S., Rabbitt, B., Lopez, A., & Nchise, A. (2019). BetterLesson and PBLWorks Professional Learning at LUSD: Effects on Instructional Behaviors and Learner Outcomes. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- *Price, C., Mohammed, S. S., Rabbitt, B., Lopez, A., & Nchise, A. (2019). Guided Reading Professional Learning: Effect on Instructional Behaviors and Learner Achievement. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- *Price, C., Mohammed, S. S., Lopez, A., & Nchise, A. (2019). Effect of Learning Facilitators’ Participation in Guided Reading Professional Learning Opportunities on Learners’ Achievement and Learning Facilitators’ Instructional Behaviors. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- Arnett, T., Benson, A., Bridges, B., Bushko, K., Duty, L., & Mohammed, S. (2015). State of Opportunity: The Status and Direction of Blended Learning in Ohio. Online publication: Clayton Christensen Institute, The Learning Accelerator, Ohio Blended Learning Network
- Mohammed, S. S. (2015). District Guide to Blended Learning Measurement. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- Bailey, J., Duty, L., Ellis, S., Martin, N., Mohammed, S., Owens, D., Rabbitt, B., Rodriguez, L., Schneider, C., Terman, A., Vander Ark, T., & Wolfe, J. (2015). Blended Learning Implementation Guide 3.0. Online publication: Foundation for Excellence in Education.
- Mohammed, S. S. (2015). Blended Learning Research Clearinghouse 1.0. Online publication: The Learning Accelerator.
- *Lopez, M., Mohammed, S. S., & *Van Kummer, D. (2013). External evaluation of the Research-Validated Approach to Instruction for Secondary Excellence in Texas 20112014 demonstration project: Midproject report. Austin, TX: The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk.
- Evaluation Research Services. (2013). Washington final report: Evaluation of improving core subject instruction for all students pilot project (HB 2136) and re-tooling instruction through response to intervention (RTI). Austin, TX: Author.
- Roberts, G., Mohammed, S. S., Wexler, J. A., & *Leroux, A. J. (2012). Washington response to intervention: Year 3 Report. Austin, TX: Evaluation Research Services.
- Tackett, K. K., *Leroux, A. J., & Mohammed, S. S. (2012). ACE: A Community for Education – Evaluation report. Austin, TX: The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk.
- Mohammed, S. S., Murray, C. S., Coleman, M. A., Roberts, G., & *Grim, C. N. (2011). Conversations with practitioners: Supporting state-level collaboration among general and special educators. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.
- Mohammed, S. S., Roberts, G., & *Lopez, M. (2011). Austin Partners in Education classroom coaching programs: Evaluation report for school year 2009 – 2010. Austin, Texas: Author.
- Roberts, G., Mohammed, S. S., & Wexler, J. A. (2011). Washington response to intervention: Report of activities and findings 2009-10 school year. Austin, TX: Evaluation Research Services.
- Roberts, G., Wexler, J. A. & Mohammed, S. S. (2010). Washington response to intervention: Report of activities and findings 2008-09 school year. Austin, TX: Evaluation Research Services.
- Mohammed, S. S., Roberts, G., Murray, C. S., & Vaughn, S. (2009). Conversations with practitioners: Current practice in statewide RTI implementation. Recommendations and frequently asked questions. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.
- Roberts, G., Edmonds, M., Cable, A., Wexler, J. A. & Mohammed, S. S. (2008). Final evaluation report: Oregon reading first project. Austin, TX: Evaluation Research Services.
- Roberts, G., Scammacca, N., Tackett, K., Mohammed, S., & Swanson, E. (2007). Preparation of special education teachers: Meta-analysis of effective pre-service practices. Napier, Illinois: Learning Points Associates.
- Roberts, G., Edmonds, M., Cable, A., & Mohammed, S. S. (2006). Mixed Methods Evaluation of Hawaii’s Pihana Na Mamo Initiative: 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. Austin, TX: Evaluation Research Services.
Selected Peer Reviewed Publications and Presentations
- Mohammed, S. S. (2018). Measurement in Emerging Learning Environments. In K. Kennedy & R.E. Ferdig (Eds.), Handbook of research on K-12 online and blended learning (2nd ed., pp. 111-120). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.
Mohammed, S. (2017). Special Issue: Connecting Research and Practice to Understand Efficacy in K-12 Blended Learning. Journal of Online Learning Research. 3(1), pp. 1-4. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). - Roberts, G., Scammacca, N., Osman, D. J., Hall, C., Mohammed, S. S., & Vaughn, S. (2014). Team-based learning: Moderating effects of metacognitive elaborative rehearsal and middle school history content recall. Educational Psychology Review, 26(3), 451–468. doi:10.1007/s10648-014-9266-2
- Vaughn, S., Roberts, G., Klingner, J. K., Swanson, E. A., Boardman, A., Stillman-Spisak, S. J., Mohammed, S. S., & Leroux, A. J. (2013). Collaborative strategic reading: Findings from experienced implementers. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 6(2), 137–163. doi:10.1080/19345747.2012.741661
- Swanson, E., Mohammed, S. S., Boardman, A., Vaughn, S., Klingner, J., Roberts, G., & Leroux, A. J. (2011). The effects of Collaborative Strategic Reading instruction on the reading comprehension of middle school students: Year 2 replication. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness, Washington, D.C.
- Vaughn, S., Klingner, J. K., Swanson, E. A., Boardman, A. G., Roberts, G., Mohammed, S. S., & Stillman-Spisak, S. J. (2011). Efficacy of Collaborative Strategic Reading with middle school students. American Educational Research Journal, 48(4), 938-964. doi:10.3102/0002831211410305
- Mohammed, S. S., Swanson, E., Roberts, G., Vaughn, S., Klingner, J., & Boardman, A. (2010). The effects of Collaborative Strategic Reading on the reading comprehension of middle school students: Year 1. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness, Washington, D.C.
- Roberts, G., Mohammed, S. S., & Vaughn, S. (2010). Reading achievement across three language groups: Growth estimates for overall reading and reading sub-skills using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(3), 668–686.
- Neely, M. E., Schallert, D. L., Mohammed, S. S., Roberts, R. M., & Chen, Y. (2009). Self-kindness when facing stress: The role of self-compassion, goal regulation, and support in college students' well-being. Motivation and Emotion, 33(1), 88-97.
- Mohammed, S. S. (2009). The occurrence of Dialect features in the academic discourse of Standard 5 classrooms in Trinidad. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
- Mohammed, S. S., Svinicki, M. D., Yoo, J. H., & Walls, S. M. (2008). Classroom community and high-stakes classes. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY.
- Roberts, R. M., Mohammed, S. S., Neely, M., Kim, H., Kim, H. J., Kim, T. H., Nihalani, P., & Schallert, D. L. (2008). “Quit partying, more studying”: A mixed methods investigation of undergraduates’ academic goal attainment and well-being. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York, NY.
- Bryant, D. P, Bryant, B. R., & Mohammed, S. S., (2007). Response to Intervention and mathematics. Professional Development Session presented at the VGCRLA at UT-Austin Brown Bag Series, Austin, TX.
- Mohammed, S. S. (2007). The Landscape of College Students' Sense of Well Being during a Challenging Semester. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX.
- Neely, M., Schallert, D. L., Mohammed, S. S., Mendiola, R., Chen, Y., Chu, H. R., & Pelton-Sweet, L. M. (2007). Juxtaposing Self-Compassion With Perceived Need for Support and Perceived Availability of Support in Understanding College Students' Well-Being. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
- Neely, M., Schallert, D. L., Mohammed, S. S., Mendiola, R., Kim, H., Kim, H. J., & Games, I. A. (2007). The Dark Side of Academic Volition: Is Persistence Always a Good Thing? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
- Mohammed, S. S. (2006). Finding the link between classroom community and instructor’s teaching style. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association, Austin, TX.
- Roberts, G. J., Levy, S. L. & Mohammed, S. S. (2006). RtI: Response to Intervention and 3-Tier Models. Ongoing Professional Development Session presented at the CRRFTAC TAPDANCE/Ongoing PD Meeting Series, Austin TX.
- Schallert, D. L., Neely, M., Mendiola, R., Mayrath, M. C., Mohammed, S. S., Riekenberg, J. J., Pelton-Sweet, L., Games, I. A., & Peshwe, A. V. (2006). The role of self-compassion, life stressors, and goal disengagement and reengagement in college students’ well-being. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco.
- Swanson, E., Wexler, J. A., Mohammed, S. S., & Locson, L. (2006). Managing the Reading First classroom. Breakout Session presented at the 3rd Annual National Reading First Conference, Reno, NV.
- Blair, R. B., Mohammed, S. S., Boley, L., Stanley, K., & McKenzie, K. (2005). Management of the Reading First classroom. Breakout Session presented at the 2nd Annual National Reading First Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Dissertation: Trini Talk or the Queen’s English? Navigating language varieties in the post-colonial, high stakes climate of “Standard Five” classrooms in Trinidad.
Projects I assisted on as an undergraduate researcher acknowledged as S. Sammy (Corkinlab, Wagnerlab, UROP):
- O'Kane, G., Insler, R. Z., & Wagner, A. D. (2005). Conceptual and perceptual novelty effects in human medial temporal cortex. Hippocampus, 15, 326-332.
- O'Kane, G. (2004). Cognitive and neural correlates of memory retrieval in young and older adults. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/28852
- O'Kane, G., Kensinger, E. A., Corkin, S. (2004). Evidence for semantic learning in profound amnesia: An investigation with patient HM. Hippocampus, 14, 417-425.
(c) Sarojani S Mohammed
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Did you know? The dark background of this page saves energy!
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