The Research Centers engage in impactful, foundational and applied research that promotes innovation and methodological advances, and contribute to fairness and equity in learning and assessment. This work furthers ETS's legacy of conducting research that grounds assessment and related products within a larger societal context. Although the Centers' work covers a wide variety of topics and contexts, their agenda is driven by four priorities:
- Teaching, learning and assessment that responds to the social and cultural factors for U.S. learners
- Innovations in global English-language teaching, learning and assessment
- Equity in global higher education admissions and student success and in workforce transition
- Innovations in testing and research methods to advance validity, fairness, equity and operational excellence
Teams in the research centers work with each other and internal colleagues, and with organizations and researchers internationally. Their work advances the science of assessment and learning, contributes to quality and innovation in ETS products and services, and informs policy in education and workforce development.