Benjamin Brumley
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Brumley’s research examines the prevalence of assessor variance in educational assessments and the biases that often accompany it. His work emphasizes child-centered, culturally responsive, and equitable approaches to educational measurement, particularly for children growing up in poverty.
He is currently developing scholarly work on the historical intersections of eugenics, normality, and standardized testing by tracing these ideas through figures such as Henry Goddard and the West Chester Normal School.
In addition, Dr. Brumley collaborates with faculty in Psychology to expand faculty and student use of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health dataset (Add Health). Add Health follows a nationally representative sample of over 20,000 adolescents first surveyed in 1994–95 and tracked across six waves into adulthood (most recently 2022–25). Utilizing large, longitudinal datasets such as Add Health enables researchers to make robust inferences from nationally representative data, explore developmental change across the lifespan, and do so cost-effectively. This work provides rich opportunities for WCU graduate students to engage in data-driven research, formulate original questions, and contribute to broader scientific understanding.
AREA OF INSTRUCTION
Dr. Brumley teaches undergraduate courses in Educational Foundations and Policy Studies, with a focus on educational assessment and research. He has also taught Mixed Methods for Educational Researchers in the Doctorate of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration program at West Chester University and various courses in Research Methods at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and West Chester University.
Previously taught courses include:
- EDD 724: Mixed Methods for Educational Researchers
- EDUC 699: Research Methods in Education
- EDTF 620: Research Seminar
- EDTF 619: Research Seminar
- EDU 599: Workshop in Urban Education
- ERM 500: Research Methods in Education
- ERM 353: Ethical and Effective Assessment for Learning – Early Grades
- ERM 354: Ethical and Effective Assessment for Learning – Middle Grades
- EDP 353/553: Assessment for Learning – Early Grades
- EDP 354/554: Assessment for Learning – Middle Grades
- EDP 355: Assessment for Learning – Grades 7–12
- FYE 100: First Year Experience
PUBLICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Dr. Brumley’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including Child Abuse and Neglect, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Children and Youth Services Review, Applied Cognitive Psychology, Advances in Social Work, and Early Education and Development. His work has received financial support from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Faculty Professional Development Council, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Link to Dr. Brumley’s Google Scholar page.