Nancy J. Nelson

Assistant Professor
Deputy Director, National Center on Improving Literacy and Lead for Literacy Center

Dr. Nancy J. Nelson is an assistant professor of special education at Boston University and deputy director of the National Center on Improving Literacy and the Lead for Literacy Center. Dr. Nelson is a former special education teacher and school psychologist, and a principal investigator on more than a dozen federally funded projects to develop or test the efficacy of reading and math interventions for students with or at risk for learning disabilities. She regularly works with state, regional, and local education agencies to provide technical assistance related to the effective implementation of assessment and instruction in multi-tiered systems of support.

Pronouns: she/her

In the Media

How to Help Kids Become Better Readers

Education

PhD, School Psychology, University of Oregon

MA, Special Education, San Francisco State University

BA, Psychology, Willamette University

Courses

WED SE 503: Learning Disabilities Characteristics and Methods

WED SE 580/584: Methods and Materials in Special Education

Selected Publications

Lesner, T., Clarke, B., Nelson, N., Kosty, D., Ketterlin-Geller, L., & Smolkowski, K. (2023). Exploring the relationship between initial mathematics skill and a sixth-grade fractions intervention. Learning Disability Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/07319487231168385

Clarke, B., Nelson, N. J., Kosty, D. K., Ketterlin-Geller, L. R., Smolkowski, K., Lesner, T., Furjanic, D., & Fien, H. (2022). Investigating the promise of a tier two sixth grade fractions intervention. Learning Disability Quarterly, 45(4), 252-266.

Gearin, B., Petscher, Y., Stanley, C., Nelson, N., & Fien, H. (2022). Document analysis of state legislation suggests likely heterogeneous effects on student and school outcomes. Learning Disability Quarterly, 45(4), 267-279.

Doabler, C. T., Clarke, B., Kosty, D., Sutherland, M., Turtura, J. E., Firestone, A. R., Kimmel, G. L., Brott, P., Brafford, T. L., Nelson Fien, N. J., Smolkowski, K., & Jungjohann, K. (2022). Promoting understanding of measurement and statistical investigation among second-grade students with mathematics difficulties. Journal of Educational Psychology, 114(3), 560-575.

Nelson Fien, N. J. & Fien, H. (2021). Incorporating evidence-based instructional practices in Tier 1 to support at-risk readers. The Reading League, 2(2), 13-21.

Clemens, N. H., Solari, E., Kearns, D. M., Fien, H., Nelson, N. J., Stelega, M., Burns, M., St. Martin, K., Hoeft, F. (2021). They say you can do phonemic awareness instruction “in the dark” but should you? A critical evaluation of the trend toward advanced phonemic awareness training. Pre-print publication available from PsyArXiv.

Fien, H., Nelson, N. J., Kosty, D., Pilger, M., Smolkowski, K., Baker, S., & Smith, J. L. (2021). A conceptual replication study of the Enhanced Core Reading Instruction MTSS-Reading Model. Exceptional Children, 87(3), 265-288.

Choo, S., Park, S., & Nelson, N. J. (2021). Evaluating spatial thinking ability using item response theory: Differential item functioning across math learning disabilities and geometry instruction. Learning Disability Quarterly. https://10.1177/0731948720912417

Gaab, N., Hogan, T., Nelson, N. J., Patton-Terry, N., Pentimonti, J., Petscher, Y., Sayko, S., & Solari, E. J., (2020). Translational science: A roadmap for the science of reading. Reading Research Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.357

Selected Presentations

Truckenmiller, A., Nelson, N. J., van Belle, L., & Gustafson, A. (2023, March). Dyslexia identification as a tool for literacy equity. Panel to be presented at the Michigan Reading Association (MRA) 67th Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Choo, S., Nelson, N., Fien, H., & Kosty, D. (2023, March). Examining the efficacy of an educational game for improving mathematics outcomes. Paper presented at the 2023 Annual Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Louisville, KY.

Nelson, N. J. & Markham-Anderson, J. (2022, November). Translational research: An evidence-based approach applying the science of reading to instruction. Standard presentation delivered at the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) 2022 Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference, San Antonio, TX.

Nelson, N., & Suhr, M. (2022, November). Enhancing Core (Tier I) Reading Instruction to effectively teach all learners at the elementary level. Council for Exceptional Children Virtual Literacy Institute.

Nelson, N. J. (2022). Myths and misconceptions about universal screening (Summer '22 Rewind Series). Science of Reading: The Podcast. Available from Amplify. Recorded December 12, 2019.

Hinkle, H., Choo, S., Shanley, L., Nelson, N. J., & Fien, H. (2021, April). Improving teacher use of data-based decision-making and differentiated instruction through evidence-based educational technology. Roundtable session presented at the 2021 Virtual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association.

Gearin, B., Nelson, N., Sayko, S. (2020, November). Dyslexia screening and intervention in multitiered systems of support: Considerations and recommendations. Presentation delivered at the International Dyslexia Association Virtual Conference.

Choo, S., Shanley, L., Hinkle, H. & Nelson, N. (2020, October). Data-based decision making in an evidence-based math game intervention. Paper presented at the Virtual International Conference on Learning Disabilities.

Choo, S., Park, S. & Nelson, N. (2020, October). Evaluating spatial thinking ability of students with math learning disabilities. Panel discussion at the Virtual International Conference on Learning Disabilities.

Nelson, N. J., Goodman, S., St. Martin, K., & Baker, S. K. (2020, March). The Impact of Integrated, Tiered Behavior and Reading Supports in Elementary School. Oral presentation accepted at the 17th International Conference on Positive Behavior Support, Miami, FL.

Fien, H. & Nelson, N. J. (2020, February). Evidence-based practices for screening, instruction, and intervention to improve outcomes for students with or at risk for literacy-related disabilities. Session presented at the Winter Meeting of the English Language Arts and Assessing Special Education Students State Collaborate on Assessment and Student Standards for the Council of Chief State School Officers, New Orleans, LA.

Foley, A., Dissen C., & Nelson, N. J. (2020, February). Leading for literacy: What elementary school administrators need to know. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Portland, OR.

Gearin, B., Turtura, J., & Nelson, N. J. (2020, February). Implementing state dyslexia legislation: Evidence-based practices for effective screening and instruction. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Portland, OR.

Hinkle, H., Choo, S., Nelson, N., Shanley, L., & Fien, H. (2020, February). Enhancing teacher instruction through evidence-based educational technology. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Portland, OR.

Fainstein, D., Hinkle, H., Choo, S., Nelson, N., & Shanley, L. (2020, February). Math intervention coaching: Forming a base for data-based decision making. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Portland, OR.

Nelson, N. J., & St. Martin, K. (2020, January). Closing the gap in early reading: An examination of the impact of a multi-tiered, integrated reading and behavior intervention for students with or at risk for literacy-related disabilities. Poster presented at the Institute of Education Sciences Principal Investigator Meeting, Washington, DC.

Nelson, N. J., & St. Martin, K. (2020, January). Project IT-2. In How researchers can inform the work of state education agencies. Invited Panel Presentation at the Institute of Education Sciences Principal Investigator Meeting, Washington, DC.

Nelson, N. J. (2020, January). Going from Development to Efficacy and Beyond: NumberShire. Invited Panel Presentation at the Ed Games Expo, Washington, DC.

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