New Lenox director uses doctoral research to develop curriculum ideas

NEW LENOX – As a member of the first graduating class of the University of St. Francis doctoral program, Holly Pierson’s research was recently highlighted by one of the university’s professors.

Pierson graduated as a Doctor of Educational Leadership in May 2015.

In mid-February of 2017, in the first and second issues of “Research You Can Use,” Keith Pain shared two dissertations with current and former students. With this initiative, the university highlights specific research for area educators so that they may stay current on the latest studies in education.

She began the program already knowing she had an avid interest in college and career readiness. So for her dissertation, Pierson decided to research the relationship between college and career readiness and the rigor of high school math classes.

To do so, she analyzed the Lincoln-Way District’s class of 2014 ACT test scores, as well as WorkKeys test scores. (At the time, WorkKeys was an exam by which the state of Illinois measured career readiness.)

Her results found a strong positive relationship between the rigor of high school mathematics coursework and college and career readiness as measured by the two state tests.

Pierson analyzed the test scores of approximately 2,000 students, also examining the students’ grade-point averages in comparison with their math reasoning skills.

With this dissertation, Pierson is planning ways to improve school curriculum and cater to students at different math levels.