Ballard & Tighe IPT

ballard-tighe.com

		Sari Luoma, Ph. D., VP of Assessment A language testing specialist, Sari Luoma holds a Ph.D. in applied linguistics from the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in language arts and education from the same institute. Prior to joining the IPT team, Dr. Luoma served as an assessment specialist at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA. While at the University of Jyvaskyla, she was data coordinator of Phase 2 of DIALANG — a computer-based diagnostic language assessment system — and assistant project manager of DIALANG Phase 1. She designed and developed tests for the Finnish National Certificate and the Finnish Foreign Language Certificate for Professional Purposes. For Ballard & Tighe, she serves as project team leader for the design and development of the company’s new IPT testing system, and provides support and coordination to the assessment team. Her numerous publications include articles written for the journal Language Testing and the CD-ROM Call in the 21st Century. Dr. Luoma brings to the IPT team extensive experience in language testing, with special expertise in initial test development, computer-assisted language testing and assessment of speaking. Assessing Speaking Dr. Luoma’ s world-class expertise in the field of speaking assessment has culminated in the publication of her pioneering book, Assessing Speaking. As speaking is one of the core language skills, formal evaluation of students’ speaking abilities is crucial for language teachers in order to assess the academic needs of their students. To date, the issues surrounding the assessment of second language learners’ speaking abilities have not been explored in depth. Assessing Speaking is the first volume to consider these assessment issues and their implication for language teaching practitioners wishing to evaluate their students’ speaking abilities.
		George Seretis, M.S., ABD, Psychometrician George Seretis is pursuing a Ph.D. in measurement and evaluation. He has an M.S. in applied statistics and a B.A. in psychology from Columbia University. As the IPT team’s psychometric specialist, Mr. Seretis provides technical assistance and data analysis for the test development team. His extensive background in mathematical modeling and educational assessment, with a special interest in categorical data analysis, includes positions as a statistical consultant for Personnel Sciences Center, Education Development Center/Center for Children and Technology, and Dalton School — all in New York. Mr. Seretis was also an instructor for the Department of Human Development at Columbia University.
		Nancie Lafferty, Supervising Operations Manager, Assessment Ms. Lafferty has been a member of the Ballard & Tighe management team for three years. Her responsibilities include operational supervision and oversight of the Assessment Department and the on-line professional development program. She has handled executive administration and project management for over 25 years, mostly in the education field. Most recently she was the Operations Manager, Human Resources at the University of California at Irvine and Operations Manager/Executive Asst. to the Vice Chancellor, California State University System Office in Long Beach, CA. She has a strong background in management and working with government agencies.
		Michelle Martinez, Senior Editor, Assessment Michelle Martinez has extensive experience in book publishing as an author, editor, and project manager. She has edited numerous books, newspaper, and magazine articles. Ms. Martinez project manages the flow of assessment materials through design, layout, and printing. She holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from Cal State University, Fullerton.
		Test Development Team Yeonsuk Cho, Ph.D. Patrice Sonberg Gotch Jill Kinkade Roberta Stathis, Ph.D. Special Consultants Gary Buck, Ph.D. Renee Jourdenais, Ph.D. Jean Turner, Ph.D. Item Writing Specialists Natalie Nordby Chen, Consultant (formerly of Educational Testing Service) Scott Clausen, Defense Language Institute Bill Eilfort, Defense Language Institute Ruth Larkin, Consultant (formerly of Educational Testing Service) Administrative & Editorial Support Team Kristin Belsher Ronaldo Benaraw Linda Mammano Rebecca Ratnam Cathy Sanchez Kathy Styffe