The research presented on this website reflects the efforts and collaboration of a team of faculty and graduate students at the University of Florida. We acknowledge the influence of our own experiences and perspectives as researchers, educators, and individuals. We come from diverse backgrounds, including previous roles as public-school teachers and researchers in areas such as bilingual education, leadership, and policy. Our group comprises individuals of various genders, races, and ethnicities, including those who have been classified as multilingual learners and those who have received formal English language support during their education. This range of experiences enriches our analysis and informs our collective dialogue on analytical decisions and the interpretation of our findings.
Dr. F. Chris Curran | Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Florida
F. Chris Curran is an associate professor and Director of the Education Policy Research Center at the University of Florida. Dr. Curran’s research applies quantitative causal inference techniques, mixed methodologies, and data science approaches to the study of education policy, with a goal of improving outcomes for all students. He is a former middle school science teacher.
Dr. Mark B. Pacheco | Assistant Professor in the School of Teaching & Learning at the University of Florida
Mark B. Pacheco is an assistant professor in ESOL/Bilingual Education. He uses qualitative research methodologies to examine robust approaches for multilingual learners across instructional contexts. He is a former high school ESL teacher.
Lelydeyvis Boza | Evaluation Program Specialist at First Things First
Lelydeyvis Boza is a fourth-year doctoral candidate at the University of Florida in the Educational Leadership and Policy program. Her dissertation focuses on Latine student advocacy in the K-12 setting.
Katharine Harris-Walls | Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Florida
Katharine Harris-Walls is a third-year doctoral candidate at the University of Florida, focusing her research on enhancing the accessibility of science education. She investigates pathways through opportunity hoarding and science capital, contributing valuable insights to the field.
Dr. Amber Deig | Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi
Amber Deig is a recent graduate of the University of Florida. Her research is focused on K-12 education for multilingual learners in the U.S. She is a former elementary school teacher.
Tiffany Tan | Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Florida
Tiffany Tan is a third-year doctoral candidate at the University of Florida. Her research is centered on the teacher labor market, with a focus on teacher recruitment and retention. She uses quantitative methods to examine trends in the teacher labor market and how these trends impact K-12 students.
Factors in Multilingual Learners' Science Success 