Applied Innovations with Rohit Yadav

The work of the Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) and its centers encompass a vast range of services, solutions, and partnerships. In our short interview series, Applied Innovations, we get to know some of the talented members of our team and their projects, across seven centers and various areas of impact. 

In this edition, we meet Rohit Yadav, Associate Director of AAI’s Assessment & Technology Solutions.

Can You Tell Us a Little About Yourself?

Moving from India to the United States to pursue a master's degree in computer science has been a transformative journey for me. During my studies, I started as a graduate research assistant at ATS, which not only honed my problem-solving skills but also ignited my passion for tackling complex challenges. This experience paved the way for my current role, where I enjoy solving complex problems and embracing new challenges that keep me engaged and constantly learning.

Outside of work, I love exploring new foods and discovering new places, which keeps my creativity alive. Cooking with my wife is one of my favorite activities—we enjoy experimenting with new recipes and flavors together. Not to forget, I'm also a Lakers fan and make it a point to catch their games whenever I can.

What Attracted You to Your Field?

During my childhood, I never imagined myself pursuing a career in software development. It wasn't until after high school that I stumbled into IT and computer science. To my surprise, I quickly became fascinated by the field. The excitement of solving complex problems and the joy of continuous learning captured my interest. It's incredibly rewarding to dive into troubleshooting and optimizing systems, ensuring technology operates seamlessly for users. The challenge of creating reliable, secure, and user-friendly systems is very exciting.

In my current role working on the Kite suite of applications, I find it especially fulfilling to ensure the platform handles large amounts of data securely and efficiently. Knowing that my efforts contribute to enhancing the education field and make a real difference keeps my passion alive. Reflecting on my journey, I don't regret a single moment of it.

What Populations Do You or Your Center Support?

We are dedicated to supporting a diverse range of populations to ensure that all individuals have access to high-quality assessment opportunities. Specifically, we provide support for both general assessments, alternate assessments, and STEM-based assessments, meeting the unique needs of various groups. In the 2023 – 2024 school year, the Kite platform was used in 49 states and the District of Columbia. 

What Are Your or Your Center’s Key Projects?

We take pride in our key projects and services, which are designed to make a real difference in education.

One of our major achievements is the development and maintenance of the Kite Suite, which includes the Content Portal, Educator Portal, Student Portal, Parent Portal and Survey Solutions. This robust platform supports educational assessments with features like keyword translation, magnification, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text. We manage over 5 million assessments annually, helping both educators and students streamline their assessment processes.

Our expertise also extends to Test Development and Psychometrics, where we create interim and summative tests, as well as assessments for English language proficiency. We use advanced statistical techniques like Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) to ensure our assessments are both accurate and fair. In addition, our Design Services team works tirelessly to enhance educational materials and websites.

What Are Some Future Opportunities or Upcoming Initiatives That Excite You?

As we look to the future, there are numerous initiatives and opportunities on the horizon that are particularly exciting. I am thrilled about several upcoming initiatives and future opportunities for us, including:

• Platform Expansion and Security: Continuing to expand our platform by adding new features to meet the ever-growing needs of students and educators. One of the major challenges we face in the assessment world is ensuring the security and privacy of student and educator data. With the increasing use of digital assessments, the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access has grown. Protecting this information is very important to us, and we are committed to using the best security measures to keep our users' data safe.
   
• Standards Visualization Tool: Developing the Kite Standards Visualization Tool which will help educators explore the relationships among standards, instruction, and assessment by providing users with one singular view from which to explore the various resources and data in these realms for the purpose of positively impacting student learning. 
   
• Statewide Implementation in Montana: We are excited about utilizing Kite platform in Montana to deliver through-year assessments. This initiative will provide a comprehensive and continuous evaluation of student progress throughout the academic year.
   
• Expansion of PLTW STEM-Based Assessments: We are thrilled to expand Project Lead The Way (PLTW) STEM-based assessments to middle schools. This initiative will introduce younger students to STEM concepts early on, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are essential for future success in these fields.
   
• Integrating AI in Assessments: Incorporating artificial intelligence to create more dynamic and interactive assessment tools, enhancing the overall learning experience.

What About Working at a Mission-Driven Organization Like AAI Appeals to You?

The constant challenge of finding creative ways to impact students' lives keeps me motivated every day. By tackling real-world problems with cutting-edge technology, I feel that our work directly contributes to better educational outcomes and helps shape the future of learning. Knowing that our combined efforts help empower students to reach their full potential gives us a profound sense of satisfaction and purpose.