Case Summary:     

We are pleased to share the success story of an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval granted to a psychometrics expert whose research is driving advancements in the development of educational assessments and data-driven instruction. At the time of filing, the client held a Ph.D. in applied psychology with a focus on measurement and evaluation and was employed in the field, contributing to the refinement of psychometric tools used across educational systems.

Research with Substantial Merit and National Importance:
 The client’s proposed endeavor aims to develop innovative psychometric models that improve the accuracy, feasibility, and reliability of educational assessments and interventions. Her work supports equitable and data-informed decision-making by enhancing how student learning is measured and interpreted in diverse educational settings. In particular, her research helps ensure that large-scale educational assessments more effectively reflect student performance, reduce bias, and provide valid information for instructional improvement and policy development. The client’s contributions are highly relevant to national education priorities, including improving learning outcomes, supporting educational equity, and using data to shape evidence-based reform.

Well Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor:
 The client has established a solid record of research productivity and scholarly influence. She has authored 6 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 2 first-authored papers, 13 abstracts (7 first-authored), and 7 technical reports (2 first-authored). Her work has been cited 164 times according to Google Scholar, indicating its uptake and influence within the psychometric and educational research communities. Moreover, she has completed over 30 peer reviews for scholarly journals, further demonstrating her expertise and recognition as a trusted evaluator in her field. Her contributions support the development of more effective assessment tools that are directly applicable to national efforts to improve education quality and accountability.

Support from the Scientific Community:
 The petition was supported by two letters of recommendation from respected experts in educational measurement and psychometrics. These letters highlighted the client’s original contributions to the design and analysis of complex psychometric models and emphasized the real-world applicability of her work in improving educational systems and policies.

“[Client’s] outstanding expertise in quantitative measurement, applied statistics, psychometrics, item response theory, and cognitive diagnostic models, as well as her extensive publication records and incredible achievements in advancing automatic item generation with artificial intelligence techniques, situate her as a leader in the field and establish her inherent value to the United States.”

These endorsements helped validate her status as an emerging leader in the field and reinforced the national importance of her continued research.

NIW Approval and Outlook:
 The client’s I-140 NIW petition was filed in January 2025, with premium processing, and approved less than one month later. This swift approval highlights the strength of the petition and the clear value of her contributions to the field of psychometrics. NAILG is proud to have supported this dedicated researcher and looks forward to the continued impact of her work in advancing fair, accurate, and data-driven approaches to education assessment and reform.