Robert Bickel, PhD, is Professor of Advanced Educational Studies at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where he teaches research methods, applied statistics, and the sociology of education. His publications have dealt with a broad range of issues, including high school completion, teen pregnancy, crime on school property, correlates of school size, neighborhood effects on school achievement, and the consequences of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 for poor rural schools. Before joining the faculty at Marshall University, Dr. Bickel spent 15 years as a program evaluator and policy analyst, working in a variety of state and local agencies.
CURRICULUM VITAE- ROBERT BICKEL
PRESENT POSITION
- PROFESSOR OF ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, Division of Educational Leadership Studies, College of Education and Human Services, Marshall University.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- PROFESSOR OF ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, Marshall University, August, 1998 to the Present.
- PROFESSOR OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP STUDIES, Marshall University, August, 1992 to August, 1998.
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS, Marshall University, August, 1987 to August, 1992.
- Graduate Courses Taught:
- Education Research and Writing
- Statistical Methods
- Multiple Regression Analysis
- Computer Analysis in Leadership Studies Research
- Special Topics in Leadership Studies
- Sociology of American Schools
- History of Education in the United States
- Advanced Studies in Human Development
- Undergraduate Courses Taught:
- Introduction to Education
- Introduction to Statistical Methods
- Schools in a Multicultural Society
- Courses Created:
- Multiple Regression Analysis
- Multilevel Analysis and Growth Modeling
RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
- EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST, Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Management and Budgets, Florida Department of Education, January, 1984 to August, 1987.
- Editor and Principal Author of the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education.
- Editor and Principal Author of the Department of Education Agency Functional Plan.
- Coordinator of Enrollment Estimating Conferences for Public Community Colleges and Universities.
- Departmental Author and Evaluator for the State Comprehensive Plan.
- PLANNER AND EVALUATOR, Mental Health Program Office, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, September, 1982 to January, 1984.
- Principal Evaluator of Adult and Geriatric Mental Health Deinstitutionalization for the State of Florida
- Principal Author of the First Comprehensive Evaluations of Mental Health Deinstitutionalization and Continuity of Care in Florida.
- RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, Research and Planning Unit, Philadelphia (PA) Family Court, July 1973 to September, 1977.
- Author and Evaluator of a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganization of Deprived Court.
- Principal Investigator for an Evaluation of Enforcement of Child Support Payments.
- Author of a Comprehensive Plan for Evaluation of Delinquent Court Probation and Parole Services.
- Principal Investigator for an Evaluation of Delinquent Court Intake Procedures.
- RESEARCH ANALYST, Delaware County (PA) Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board, July, 1972 to July, 1973.
- Sole Evaluator of a County-Wide Network of Mental Health and Drug Abuse Clinics.
- Author of the First Comprehensive Evaluation of Mental Health and Drug Abuse Services in Delaware County.
- Designer of an Information System for Mental Health and Drug Abuse Services in Delaware County.
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Educational Foundations and Policy Studies, Florida State University, May, 1987.
- M.A., Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, December, 1972.
- B.A., Sociology, Pennsylvania State University, March, 1971. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
PUBLICATIONS: PRINT JOURNAL ARTICLES
- “An Evaluation of the Merit Reading Software Program in the Calhoun County (WV) Middle/High School.” Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 2004-05, 37: 177-195 (with Jerry Jones, William Staats, Noel Bowling, Michael Cunningham, and Connie Cadle).
- “’No Child Left Behind’ in Poor, Appalachian Districts: Confronting Contextual Factors in the Modern World.” Journal of Appalachian Studies, 2003, 9: 321-340 (with Caitlin Howley and Stan Maynard).
- “Math Achievement and the Development of Poor, Rural Areas: Effects of Contextual Factors Intrinsic to the Modern World.” Educational Foundations, 2003, 17: 83-105 (with Caitlin Howley).
- “Poor, Rural Neighborhoods and Early School Achievement.” The Journal of Poverty, 2002, 6: 89-108 (with Cynthia Smith and Teresa Eagle).
- “Smaller Districts: Closing the Gap for Poor Kids.” American School Board Journal, 2002, 189: 28-30(with Craig Howley).
- “Opportunity, Community, and Crime on School Property: A Quantitative Case Study.” Educational Foundations, 2001, 15: 19-39 (with Roxane Dufrene).
- “Musical Talent: Innate or Acquired? Perceptions of Students, Parents, and Teachers.” Gifted Child Quarterly, 2000, 44: 80-90 (with Robert Evans and Edwina Pendarvis).
- "Early Achievement Gains and Poverty-Linked Social Distress: The Case of Post-Head Start Transition. The Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 1999, 8: 241-254 (with Linda Spatig).
- “Opportunity, Community, and Early-Adolescent Pregnancy: A Replication of Research with Older Teen-Aged Girls.” Educational Foundations, 1999, 13: 47-72 (with Meghan McDonough and Tony Williams).
- “No Effects to Fade: Head Start in Two West Virginia Counties.” Educational Foundations, 1998, 12: 69-89 (with Meghan McDonough).
- “The Call for Parent Involvement in Rural Communities: Mantra and Mystification.” The Journal of Research in Rural Education, 1997, 13: 101-107 (with Aimee Howley and Mary McDonough).
- “Opportunity, Community, and Reckless Lives: Social Distress Among Adolescents in West Virginia.” The Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 1997, 6: 29-44 (with Meghan McDonough).
- “Opportunity, Community, and Teen Pregnancy in an Appalachian State.” The Journal of Educational Research, 1997, 90: 175-181 (with Susan Weaver, Linda Lange, and Tony Williams).
- “Teacher Salaries and Educational Policy in West Virginia.” Educational Foundations, 1995, 9: 57-72 (with Susan Ferrell and Aimee Howley).
- “Opportunities, Costs, and High School Completion in West Virginia.” The Journal of Educational Research, 1995, 88: 363-370 (with Linda Lange).
- “Teachers’ Values and the Prospects for Instructional Reform.” Planning and Changing, 1994, 25: 56-74 (with Aimee Howley, Susan Ferrell, and Paul Leary).
- “Computer-Assisted Instruction in Appalachia’s Post-Secondary Schools.” The Journal of Educational Research, 1993, 87: 46-52 (with Nedra Lowe).
- “Education for Freedom: A Case Study in Social Foundations.” Educational Foundations, 1993, 7: 51-64 (with Linda Spatig).
- “Bridging the Gap Between High School and College in an Appalachian State: A Near-Replication of Florida Research.” Journal of Research in Rural Education, 1991, 7: 75-87 (with Steven Banks and Linda Spatig).
- “Comparing the Effects of Public and Private High Schools Using Three SAT Data Sets.” The Urban Review, 1991, 23: 101-115 (with Neil Gibbins).
- “Teaching Social Foundations to Undergraduates: The Importance of Instructors’ Formal Training.” Educational Foundations, 1991, 5: 65-76 (with Linda Spatig).
- “Opportunity and High School Completion.” The Urban Review, 1989, 21: 61-84.
- “Post-High School Prospects and High School Completion Rates in an Appalachian State: A Near-Replication of Florida Research.” Youth and Society, 1989, 21: 61-84.
- “Technocratic Assumptions and Centralized Control: The Florida State Comprehensive Planning Process.” Educational Policy, 1989, 3: 67-77 (with Adele Cummings and Sande Milton)
- “Post-High School Prospects and District-level Dropout Rates.” Youth and Society, 1988, 20: 123-147 (with George Papagiannis).
- “Student Acceleration and High School Effectiveness.” The High School Journal, 1988, 71: 138-147.
- “The Progressive Era: Its Ideological Legacy for Education and Its Social Context.” Quarterly Journal of Ideology, 1987, 11: 21-36 (with James Robarts).
- “Practical Limitations of the Input-Output Model for Research and Policymaking.” Educational Policy, 1987, 1: 271-287.
- “Educational Reform and the Equivalence of Schools.” Issues in Education, 1986, 4: 179-197.
- “Achievement and Social Ascription: A Comparison of Public and Private High Schools.” Youth and Society, 1986, 18: 99-126.
- “Consequences of the Extended School Day and Upgraded High School Curriculum.” Planning and Changing, 1986, 17: 31-44.
- “Public Schools, Private Schools, and High School Achievement.” The High School Journal, 1986, 68: 91-106 (with Martha Chang).
- “Student Acceleration: Redefining an Educational Reform.” Spectrum, 1986, 4: 14-21.
- “Public Schools, Private Schools, and the Common School Ideal.” The Urban Review, 1985, 17: 75-97 (with Martha Chang).
- “The Social Circumstances of Illiteracy: Interpretation and Exchange in a Class-Based Society.” The Urban Review, 1983, 15: 203-215 (with Sande Milton).
- “Teaching by Exemplar: On the Dialectical Nature of the Social Sciences.” Theory and Research in Social Education, 1983, 11: 53-64 (with Sande Milton).
- “Using Client Case Histories in Evaluating Community Support Programs.” Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 1983, 7: 11-21 (with Amy Forsyth-Stevens).
- “The Social Creation of School Dropouts.” Youth and Society, 1983, 14: 363-392(with George Papagiannis and Richard Fuller).
- “Competition in Local School Board Elections: Findings in a Partisan Political Environment.” Planning and Changing, 1982, 13: 148-157 (with Sande Milton).
- “Toward a Political Economy of Educational Innovation.” Review of Educational Research, 1982, 52: 245-290 (with George Papagiannis and Steven Klees).
- “Issues in Public Guardianship.” Urban and Social Change Review, 1982, 15: 15-26 (with Winsor Schmidt, Kent Miller, William Bell, and Elaine Neu).
PUBLICATIONS: ELECTRONIC JOURNAL ARTICLES
- “Importance of Core Courses in Students’ Satisfaction.” Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2007, 1(1) http://www.scientific journals.org/Articles/a078.htm
- “Group and Interaction Effects with ‘No Child Left Behind’: Gender and Reading in a Poor Appalachian District.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 2004, 12(4) http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v12n4.html (with Stan Maynard).
- “High School Size, Achievement Equity, and Cost: Robust Interaction Effects and Tentative Results.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 2001, 9(40): http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v9n40.html (with Craig Howley, Tony Williams, and Catherine Glascock).
- “The Influence of Scale on School Performance: A Multi-Level Extension of the Matthew Principle.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 2000, 8(22): http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n22.html (with Craig Howley).
- “Top-Down, Routinized Reform in Low-Income Rural Schools: NSF’s Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative.” Education Policy Analysis Archives, 2000, 8(12): http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n12.html (with Terry Tomasek and Teresa Hardman Eagle).
PUBLICATIONS: BOOK CHAPTERS AND MONOGRAPHS
- “Instructional Software and ‘No Child Left Behind’ in Poor, Rural Schools: Rationality and the Subversion of Math Achievement.” Athens, OH: ACCLAIM Working Paper No. 19, Appalachian Collaborative for Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics, 2004 (with Connie Cadle).
- “Elementary Math Achievement for Rural Development: Effects of Contextual Factors Intrinsic to the Modern World.” Athens, OH: ACCLAIM Working Paper No. 15, Appalachian Collaborative for Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics, 2003 (with Caitlin Howley).
- “Musical Talent: Innate or Acquired? Perceptions of Students, Parents and Teachers.” In Zimmerman, E. and Reis, S. (Eds) Artistically and Musically Talented Students. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin (with Robert Evans and Edwina Pendarvis).
- “Research about School Size and School Performance in Impoverished Communities.” Charleston, WV: ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools, 2001. (with Craig Howley and Marty Strange).
- “Developmentalism Meets Standardized Testing – Low Income Children Lose” In Ellsworth, J. and Ames, L. (Eds.) Critical Perspectives on Project Head Start: Re-Envisioning the Hope and Promise. Albany, NY: SUNY, 1998 (with Linda Spatig and Laurel Parrot).
- “Community, Culture, and Reckless Lives in West Virginia: Why Multiculturalism is Beside the Point.” In Welch, L. (Ed.) Strategies for Promoting Pluralism in Education and the Workplace. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997.
- “The Principal and Desegregation: Conventional and Critical Perspectives.” In Noblit, G. and Johnson, B. (Eds.) The School Principal and Desegregation. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas, 1982.
PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS
- Multilevel Analysis for Applied Research. (2007) New York: Guilford Publications (Scheduled Publication Date, March 26, 2007).
EDITORIAL BOARDS
- Education Policy Analysis Archives
- Journal of Research in Rural Education
ANONYMOUS REFEREE
- Education Policy Analysis Archives
- Journal of Research in Rural Education
- Journal of Appalachian Studies
- Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis
- Sociology of Education
- Guilford Publications
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- ACCLAIM Scholar in Rural Education, Ohio University
- National Faculty Member, Edvantia, Inc.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
- Evaluation and Policy Analysis
- Research Methods and Statistics
- Social Context of Education
MAILING ADDRESS
238 Jenkins Hall
Marshall University
1 John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755-2480
PHONE
Work: 304-696-2867
Home: 304-525-1030