Cassandra Paul
@cassandrapaul.bsky.social
Physics & Astronomy | Science Education Professor (she/her)
STEM education researcher, PER, parent of 3, runner, lover of the outdoors and Sci-Fi/Fantasy fiction
STEM education researcher, PER, parent of 3, runner, lover of the outdoors and Sci-Fi/Fantasy fiction
Pinned
High-stakes exams inflate a gender gap and contribute to systematic grading errors in one introductory physics series
A study in introductory physics suggests high-stakes exams are causing a gender gap, rather than measuring it.
link.aps.org
Proud of the work I published with @djphysicswebb.bsky.social . Gender Gap in intro physics is eliminated when employing retake exams because women do better on the FIRST try - suggesting exam STAKES (not differences in preparation/understanding) explain gender gap. 🧪 link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Our new research indicates that the gender gap in intro physics is an artifact correlated with the “stakes” associated with physics exams and is therefore NOT due to differences in preparation or understanding. 🧪🧵 #acadmicsky #HigherEd #EduSky #STEMed link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
High-stakes exams inflate a gender gap and contribute to systematic grading errors in one introductory physics series
A study in introductory physics suggests high-stakes exams are causing a gender gap, rather than measuring it.
link.aps.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Our new research indicates that the gender gap in intro physics is an artifact correlated with the “stakes” associated with physics exams and is therefore NOT due to differences in preparation or understanding. 🧪🧵 #acadmicsky #HigherEd #EduSky #STEMed link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
This thread illustrates why it’s so important to think about grades and grading from the student perspective.
So there is a new article out about grade inflation at a certain school and people think it's funny that students told the student paper that the report was stressful and here's why I don't think it's funny
A friend of mine killed herself my senior year
It is a high pressure place
and
A friend of mine killed herself my senior year
It is a high pressure place
and
November 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This thread illustrates why it’s so important to think about grades and grading from the student perspective.
Our new research indicates that the gender gap in intro physics is an artifact correlated with the “stakes” associated with physics exams and is therefore NOT due to differences in preparation or understanding. 🧪🧵 #acadmicsky #HigherEd #EduSky #STEMed link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
High-stakes exams inflate a gender gap and contribute to systematic grading errors in one introductory physics series
A study in introductory physics suggests high-stakes exams are causing a gender gap, rather than measuring it.
link.aps.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Our new research indicates that the gender gap in intro physics is an artifact correlated with the “stakes” associated with physics exams and is therefore NOT due to differences in preparation or understanding. 🧪🧵 #acadmicsky #HigherEd #EduSky #STEMed link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Last call before the deadline. Accepting applications until filled.. #academicbluesky 🧪🏡
The School of Planning, Policy, and Environmental Studies at San José State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies. We welcome applicants from all fields of environmental studies who apply an environmental justice lens to their work. jobs.sjsu.edu/sj/en-us/job...
San José State University - Details - Assistant Professor - Environmental Studies
jobs.sjsu.edu
October 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Last call before the deadline. Accepting applications until filled.. #academicbluesky 🧪🏡
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Research suggesting how an exam gender gap can be inflated from zero up to roughly 1/3 of a grade point simply by increasing the stakes of your exams.
Can't help thinking of gaps on a different high stakes exam, the SAT, when I see results like these.
#iTeachPhysics 🎢 #EduSky 🍎 #academia #HigherEd
Can't help thinking of gaps on a different high stakes exam, the SAT, when I see results like these.
#iTeachPhysics 🎢 #EduSky 🍎 #academia #HigherEd
Proud of the work I published with @djphysicswebb.bsky.social . Gender Gap in intro physics is eliminated when employing retake exams because women do better on the FIRST try - suggesting exam STAKES (not differences in preparation/understanding) explain gender gap. 🧪 link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
High-stakes exams inflate a gender gap and contribute to systematic grading errors in one introductory physics series
A study in introductory physics suggests high-stakes exams are causing a gender gap, rather than measuring it.
link.aps.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Research suggesting how an exam gender gap can be inflated from zero up to roughly 1/3 of a grade point simply by increasing the stakes of your exams.
Can't help thinking of gaps on a different high stakes exam, the SAT, when I see results like these.
#iTeachPhysics 🎢 #EduSky 🍎 #academia #HigherEd
Can't help thinking of gaps on a different high stakes exam, the SAT, when I see results like these.
#iTeachPhysics 🎢 #EduSky 🍎 #academia #HigherEd
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Check out this storymap highlighting findings from our latest report. 🔌💡
Fighting for Fair Development, Community Benefits Agreements as a Strategy for making the #EnergyTransition more Equitable in the United States. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a860...
Fighting for Fair Development, Community Benefits Agreements as a Strategy for making the #EnergyTransition more Equitable in the United States. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a860...
Fighting for Fair Development
Community Benefits Agreements as a Strategy for Making the Energy Transition More Equitable in the United States
storymaps.arcgis.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Check out this storymap highlighting findings from our latest report. 🔌💡
Fighting for Fair Development, Community Benefits Agreements as a Strategy for making the #EnergyTransition more Equitable in the United States. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a860...
Fighting for Fair Development, Community Benefits Agreements as a Strategy for making the #EnergyTransition more Equitable in the United States. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/a860...
Proud of the work I published with @djphysicswebb.bsky.social . Gender Gap in intro physics is eliminated when employing retake exams because women do better on the FIRST try - suggesting exam STAKES (not differences in preparation/understanding) explain gender gap. 🧪 link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
High-stakes exams inflate a gender gap and contribute to systematic grading errors in one introductory physics series
A study in introductory physics suggests high-stakes exams are causing a gender gap, rather than measuring it.
link.aps.org
October 21, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Proud of the work I published with @djphysicswebb.bsky.social . Gender Gap in intro physics is eliminated when employing retake exams because women do better on the FIRST try - suggesting exam STAKES (not differences in preparation/understanding) explain gender gap. 🧪 link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
October 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
6 of my papers were in this database.
10 of my papers were in this data base.
There's a lawsuit about AI stealing your work. It's the same lawyers taking on Elsevier et al in a separate case.
Academics:
1. Check if your work is in LibGen at www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
2. If so, let the lawyers know at www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...
Academics:
1. Check if your work is in LibGen at www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
2. If so, let the lawyers know at www.lieffcabraser.com/anthropic-au...
August 28, 2025 at 3:08 AM
6 of my papers were in this database.
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
I’m at my kids’ parent orientation, and the topic that generated more questions from parents is the school car line. Curriculum? No. New teachers? Nope. If that’s not an indicator of a failed transportation system, I don’t know what is.
August 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
I’m at my kids’ parent orientation, and the topic that generated more questions from parents is the school car line. Curriculum? No. New teachers? Nope. If that’s not an indicator of a failed transportation system, I don’t know what is.
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Something I wish more people understood: part of the point of shock-and-awe grant terminations at NIH and NSF has been to make scientists and university administrators afraid to speak out against the administration. And it's working. But, some of us were never going to get a grant from them anyway.
August 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Something I wish more people understood: part of the point of shock-and-awe grant terminations at NIH and NSF has been to make scientists and university administrators afraid to speak out against the administration. And it's working. But, some of us were never going to get a grant from them anyway.
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
🎤 BOOM: Federal judge just ruled to *reinstate* the suspended ~300 NSF grants at UCLA.
Determines that NSF violated the previous court order by attempting to swap "termination" with "suspension".
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Determines that NSF violated the previous court order by attempting to swap "termination" with "suspension".
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
August 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
🎤 BOOM: Federal judge just ruled to *reinstate* the suspended ~300 NSF grants at UCLA.
Determines that NSF violated the previous court order by attempting to swap "termination" with "suspension".
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Determines that NSF violated the previous court order by attempting to swap "termination" with "suspension".
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Absolutely the fuck not.
Any senior administrator who even entertains the possibility of a $1 BILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT has no legitimate place overseeing researchers.
Any senior administrator who even entertains the possibility of a $1 BILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT has no legitimate place overseeing researchers.
Trump administration seeking $1 billion settlement from UCLA | CNN Politics
The Trump administration is seeking a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles, CNN has exclusively learned, marking the latest effort by the White House to shape higher ed...
www.cnn.com
August 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Absolutely the fuck not.
Any senior administrator who even entertains the possibility of a $1 BILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT has no legitimate place overseeing researchers.
Any senior administrator who even entertains the possibility of a $1 BILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT has no legitimate place overseeing researchers.
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
📚 (Early) good news for education researchers!
Today, Senate appropriators said NO cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) budget for FY26.
Holds flat at $793 million. In contrast, the President's budget request wanted to slash IES's budget by -67%.
🧵 1/3
Today, Senate appropriators said NO cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) budget for FY26.
Holds flat at $793 million. In contrast, the President's budget request wanted to slash IES's budget by -67%.
🧵 1/3
Senators—Including Republicans—Reject All of Trump's Proposed Education Cuts
The budget bill could go before the full Senate as early as September.
www.edweek.org
July 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
📚 (Early) good news for education researchers!
Today, Senate appropriators said NO cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) budget for FY26.
Holds flat at $793 million. In contrast, the President's budget request wanted to slash IES's budget by -67%.
🧵 1/3
Today, Senate appropriators said NO cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) budget for FY26.
Holds flat at $793 million. In contrast, the President's budget request wanted to slash IES's budget by -67%.
🧵 1/3
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Sen. Elizabeth Warren argued that Democrats can’t trust Republicans and Trump to uphold any bipartisan government funding agreement.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/warren-...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/warren-...
Warren Demands Dems Refuse to Participate in Budgeting So Long As Trump is Freezing Funds
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) took to the Senate floor on Wednesday morning...
talkingpointsmemo.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Sen. Elizabeth Warren argued that Democrats can’t trust Republicans and Trump to uphold any bipartisan government funding agreement.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/warren-...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/warren-...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
If you've ever *benefitted* from NIH research (big population), CALL YOUR SENATOR now to let them know.
⏰ Tmrw morning, Senate appropriators will mark up NIH's FY26 budget.
Personal examples help.
My own case: decades of *sustained* investment in NIH-funded cancer research saved my life.
⏰ Tmrw morning, Senate appropriators will mark up NIH's FY26 budget.
Personal examples help.
My own case: decades of *sustained* investment in NIH-funded cancer research saved my life.
1/11 Though it's personal, I’m sharing this analogy if it helps others: In the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about my past journey with cancer.
Years ago, I found out in the worst way. My doctor accidentally released the biopsy results to my online patient portal.
🧵 Thread
Years ago, I found out in the worst way. My doctor accidentally released the biopsy results to my online patient portal.
🧵 Thread
July 30, 2025 at 2:37 PM
If you've ever *benefitted* from NIH research (big population), CALL YOUR SENATOR now to let them know.
⏰ Tmrw morning, Senate appropriators will mark up NIH's FY26 budget.
Personal examples help.
My own case: decades of *sustained* investment in NIH-funded cancer research saved my life.
⏰ Tmrw morning, Senate appropriators will mark up NIH's FY26 budget.
Personal examples help.
My own case: decades of *sustained* investment in NIH-funded cancer research saved my life.
Glad reporting is still happening around this issue. I appreciate that Rep. Zoe Lofgren @lofgren.house.gov keeps pushing on this. UC researchers have had their NSF grants reinstated through class action lawsuit, but CSU researchers are still waiting. sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-rep...
San Jose Rep. Lofgren calls out Trump for science cuts - San José Spotlight
Government workers from the National Science Foundation are sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s attack on the federal independent agency and its impact on the scientific community. In a Jul...
sanjosespotlight.com
July 29, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Glad reporting is still happening around this issue. I appreciate that Rep. Zoe Lofgren @lofgren.house.gov keeps pushing on this. UC researchers have had their NSF grants reinstated through class action lawsuit, but CSU researchers are still waiting. sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-rep...
Researchers who have had their NSF grants cancelled and are finishing up publications started before the termination…. How are we thanking (or not thanking) NSF in the acknowledgments? I can’t be the only one thinking about this! Feel free to drop your preprint or pub below.👇 #academicsky #science 🧪
July 23, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Researchers who have had their NSF grants cancelled and are finishing up publications started before the termination…. How are we thanking (or not thanking) NSF in the acknowledgments? I can’t be the only one thinking about this! Feel free to drop your preprint or pub below.👇 #academicsky #science 🧪
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
🧪280 NASA employees past & present + at least 4 astronauts, have signed a declaration of opposition to the many of the impending drastic changes
The last six months have been full of rapid, wasteful & catastrophic changes that have sabotaged their mission.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The last six months have been full of rapid, wasteful & catastrophic changes that have sabotaged their mission.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘We dissent’: NASA staff declare opposition to Trump cuts
Declaration of dissent, which warns that science and safety are at risk, joins similar documents from staff at the EPA and the NIH.
www.nature.com
July 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
🧪280 NASA employees past & present + at least 4 astronauts, have signed a declaration of opposition to the many of the impending drastic changes
The last six months have been full of rapid, wasteful & catastrophic changes that have sabotaged their mission.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The last six months have been full of rapid, wasteful & catastrophic changes that have sabotaged their mission.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
Thanks to @mercurynews.com for highlighting the local impacts of federal grant cuts at SJSU featuring multiple colleagues who have lost grants including @cassandrapaul.bsky.social @proftv.bsky.social and @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social. 🧪 www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/19/c...
Cuts to science grants force San Jose researchers, student to scramble
Federal agencies lose billions in research funding as Trump directives target DEI in part to cut cut taxes.
www.mercurynews.com
July 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Thanks to @mercurynews.com for highlighting the local impacts of federal grant cuts at SJSU featuring multiple colleagues who have lost grants including @cassandrapaul.bsky.social @proftv.bsky.social and @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social. 🧪 www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/19/c...
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
🧪Have a terminated NSF grant? Or been impacted by such a termination? Call your Senators, esp if they're Repub!!
An amendment to restore killed NSF grants will later be debated on the *full Senate* floor, after it narrowly failed in committee today.
🧵 Brief thread 1/4
An amendment to restore killed NSF grants will later be debated on the *full Senate* floor, after it narrowly failed in committee today.
🧵 Brief thread 1/4
Senate panel raises hopes that NSF will restore killed grants
Republicans promise to work with Democrats to salvage defeated amendment
www.science.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
🧪Have a terminated NSF grant? Or been impacted by such a termination? Call your Senators, esp if they're Repub!!
An amendment to restore killed NSF grants will later be debated on the *full Senate* floor, after it narrowly failed in committee today.
🧵 Brief thread 1/4
An amendment to restore killed NSF grants will later be debated on the *full Senate* floor, after it narrowly failed in committee today.
🧵 Brief thread 1/4
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
I’m hearing a lot of despair and “what’s the point”-ing.
Here’s the point:
ONE less person kidnapped by ICE.
ONE more child vaccinated.
ONE grant reinstated.
ONE more PEPFAR treatment.
ONE more meal to a hungry kid.
ONE more person covered by Medicaid.
One life is ALWAYS worth resistance.
Here’s the point:
ONE less person kidnapped by ICE.
ONE more child vaccinated.
ONE grant reinstated.
ONE more PEPFAR treatment.
ONE more meal to a hungry kid.
ONE more person covered by Medicaid.
One life is ALWAYS worth resistance.
July 16, 2025 at 12:32 PM
I’m hearing a lot of despair and “what’s the point”-ing.
Here’s the point:
ONE less person kidnapped by ICE.
ONE more child vaccinated.
ONE grant reinstated.
ONE more PEPFAR treatment.
ONE more meal to a hungry kid.
ONE more person covered by Medicaid.
One life is ALWAYS worth resistance.
Here’s the point:
ONE less person kidnapped by ICE.
ONE more child vaccinated.
ONE grant reinstated.
ONE more PEPFAR treatment.
ONE more meal to a hungry kid.
ONE more person covered by Medicaid.
One life is ALWAYS worth resistance.
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
SJSU’s U-RISE program is officially uncancelled, at least for this third year of the grant!
July 12, 2025 at 3:10 AM
SJSU’s U-RISE program is officially uncancelled, at least for this third year of the grant!
Reposted by Cassandra Paul
🚨BREAKING: Cal State LA just moved classes online and let faculty work remotely, not for a storm, not for COVID, but because ICE is in the area.
Let that sink in, an entire university is treating immigration enforcement like a public health crisis.
Let that sink in, an entire university is treating immigration enforcement like a public health crisis.
July 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
🚨BREAKING: Cal State LA just moved classes online and let faculty work remotely, not for a storm, not for COVID, but because ICE is in the area.
Let that sink in, an entire university is treating immigration enforcement like a public health crisis.
Let that sink in, an entire university is treating immigration enforcement like a public health crisis.