WERA recognizes contributions to educational research with five awards. Members are encouraged to make nominations for the awards. See below for award nomination deadlines.
Gordon B. Ensign Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close October 31, 2024
This award is presented to a person or institution that has demonstrated and exemplified outstanding contributions to the education of students in Washington State in keeping with WERA’s mission. This award does not require that the recipient be or have been a member of WERA.
Art Maser Service Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close October 31, 2024
This award is presented to a WERA member (or institution, education service association or organization) who has demonstrated and exemplified outstanding service to WERA and who has made a significant contribution to the field of educational research.
WERA Research Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close October 31, 2024
This award is given to an individual, group, association, or agency. Recipient need not be a WERA member.
Criteria: Outstanding educational research. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- instructional research
- program evaluation
- intervention research
- research on or for special populations
- assessment research
- educational policy research
- school climate research
- parent/community needs assessments
Research should have state-wide application in terms of results, methodology or analyses. Research should have long-term value.
WERA Product Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close October 31, 2024
This award recognizes outstanding professional products related to:
- testing
- assessment
- program evaluation
- policy research
- instructional research
- school or district profiles
- instructional evaluation
- test or evaluation reporting
Criteria:
- Product must be of high technical quality.
- Product must be original work.
- Product must effectively communicate to a wide audience.
- Product must have state-wide value.
- Product must have long-term value.
WERA Distinguished Paper Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close October 31, 2024
This award promotes and recognizes important educational research taking place in Washington. The winner is invited to present the paper at the AERA National Meeting, April 23-27, 2025. Please go to this link to learn how to submit a nomination so this outstanding work can be recognized.
WERA Outstanding Dissertation Award: (Click to access the nomination form)
Nominations close December 31, 2024
This award recognizes exemplary dissertation research by a doctoral student related to improving K-12 or higher education. The winner receives a complimentary registration to the WERA/OSPI Annual Conference and a one-year WERA membership, along with recognition at the Annual conference.
Candidates for this award must have successfully defended their dissertation and been awarded a doctorate degree by an accredited Washington state institution in the calendar year in which the application is due. Additional details about submitting a dissertation nomination are available here.