Brett P. Foley, Ph.D. of Lincoln, Nebraska, is the Director of Psychometrics and Research at the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He has served with the Board as the Board’s public member since 2018. Foley is the third public member to serve on the Board since the position was created in 1998. Foley is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota.
Foley holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. He received his master’s degree in biometry and a doctorate in psychological studies in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 2001, Foley received the Outstanding Graduate in Information Systems Award presented by Chadron State College.
Foley’s occupation is a psychometrician, which is a professional who practices the science of educational and psychological measurement. Foley works to support the development of national tests by utilizing mathematics, statistics, and psychology. He has worked with many organizations on the technical and policy aspects of licensure and certification exams.
Before working in his current employment and serving as a Board Member, Foley worked at Alpine Testing Solutions and for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln under several departments, including the Buros Center for Testing, the Departments of Educational Psychology and Biometry, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools, and the Nebraska Education and Research.
Foley is also a part of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Professional Conduct Committee and a public member working group for the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. He has been a peer-reviewer for Applied Measurement in Education, Educational Assessment, Educational Psychology Review, Journal of Educational Measurement, Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Nursing Education, Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation, the Researcher, National Council on Measurement in Educational Annual Conference, Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association Annual Conference, and the Association of Test Publishers Annual Conference.
Foley has published articles and book chapters about the quantitative methods for detecting cheating on tests, visual displays that improve test score interpretation and inform assessment design and development, and high stakes use of intelligence testing.
“As a psychometrician, I’ve worked with many organizations on the technical and policy aspects of licensure and certification exams,” Foley said. “I look forward to sharing information about testing and assessment processes with the Board.”