New York University’s Robert Tobias, director of the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning, and Joshua Aronson, associate professor of applied psychology, NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, are available for comment on the NYC Department of Education’s recent plan to expand the battery of periodic standardized tests given to public school students.

Robert Tobias served the New York City public schools for 33 years as a teacher, researcher, and assessment specialist, retiring in 2001 as Executive Director of Assessment and Accountability. He currently directs the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning which facilitates research and evaluation for the Department of Teaching and Learning at NYU Steinhardt. He can be reached at 212.998.5497 or rjt3@nyu.edu.

Joshua Aronson, associate professor of applied psychology, has been studying stereotypes, self-esteem, motivation, and attitudes for the past 12 years. His work has focused on the way humans respond to negative stereotypes about their racial or gender group and has conducted numerous studies showing how stereotype threat depresses the standardized test performance of black, Latino, and female college students. He can be reached at joshua.aronson@nyu.edu.