Shantay Alvarez is a first-year doctoral student in the Social Research Methodologies cluster at the Berkeley School of Education. Her research focuses on psychometrics, structural equation modeling, and longitudinal approaches to educational assessment and measurement. She is particularly interested in how measurement bias influences testing outcomes and how latent variable modeling, including Item Response Theory (IRT) and hierarchical modeling techniques can improve the validity, reliability, and fairness of educational instruments.
Shantay approaches measurement as both a methodological and ethical practice, aiming to design instruments that meaningfully reflect learners’ experiences. Broadly, her goal is to strengthen educational measurement through rigorous modeling and culturally responsive instrument design, contributing to equitable and data-informed educational systems.
Prior to joining UC Berkeley, Shantay earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Psychological Research with an emphasis on quantitative methods at California State University, Fullerton. As the daughter of two immigrant parents and a first-generation college student, her experiences navigating educational systems shape her commitment to creating fair and inclusive measurement practices.
Specializations and Interests
Educational Assessment and Measurement, Latent Variable and Longitudinal Modeling, Assessment Fairness and Equity, Higher Education
