Lisa Pray, Ph.D.

Lisa Pray

Assistant Professor
Department of Elementary Education
Utah State University, Logan Utah

Education

  • 2003 Ph.D. Arizona State University Language and Literacy (English as a second language) and Special Education
  • 1998 M.Ed. Arizona State University Elementary Education (English as a second language)
  • 1986 B.S. Arizona State University Business Administration

Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Utah State University , ESL/Bilingual Assessment, Methodology, Diversity in Education and Orientation to Education
  • Visiting Professor, Arizona State University , Center of Indian Education , Rough Rock Community Teaching Training Program, ESL/bilingual methods and assessment
  • Teaching Assistant, Arizona State University , ESL methods, Bilingual/ESL assessment, Bilingual Issues in Special Education, Language Diversity in Education
  • Research Assistant, Arizona State University , OERI Funded Grant, Beyond Program Effectiveness Research: Explaining Low Achievement in Limited English Proficient Student
  • ESL Teacher, Glendale Elementary School District, Glendale , AZ 1998-2000
  • ESL Tutor of Punjabi immigrants from India , 2000 and Korean international students, 2002
  • Teaching Internships, Washington Elementary School District, Phoenix , AZ 1997

Awards/Professional Affiliations

  • Finalist, NABE 2004 Outstanding Dissertations Competition
  • Regents Graduate Academic Scholar, Arizona State University, 2000-2003
  • University Graduate Scholar, Arizona State University, 2000-2003
  • Preparing Future Faculty Fellow, 2001-2003
  • Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Leadership Training Program Fellow, 2000-2003
  • Member, Network Hispanico, Logan , UT
  • Member, Phi Delta Kappa
  • Member, American Educational Research Association
  • Member, Council for Exceptional Children

Presentations

  • Pray, L. (April, 2004). The role of commonly used language instruments in the identification of students' English oral language proficiency? American Educational Research Association National Conference, San Diego , CA
  • Pray, L. (March, 2004). Issues relating to the appropriate placement of minority and language students into special education. Educators for Diversity, 4 th Annual Conference. Logan , UT
  • Pray, L. (November, 2003). Language assessments, learning disabilities, and the English language learner . Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders National Conference, Tempe , AZ
  • Pray, L. (May 2003). How well do conventional language assessments measure English language proficiency? Paper Presentation at the 4 th International Symposium on Bilingualism, Phoenix , AZ
  • Pray, L. (April 2003). A comparison of the rate of English acquisition of general education and special education second language learners . American Educational Research Association National Conference, Chicago , IL
  • Pray, L. & MacSwan, J. (April 2002). Language, achievement, and socioeconomic status: How long do children need to acquire English? American Educational Research Association National Conference, New Orleans , LA
  • Pray, L., & Kurikose, A. (March 2002). Is there a pure linguistic measure of language proficiency? A study of the Bilingual Syntax Measure . TESOL conference, Tempe , AZ
  • Pray, L. (November, 2001). A comparison of language acquisition rates of general and special education language minority students. Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders National Conference, Scottsdale , AZ
  • Pray, L. (October 2001). Should you use a publisher's test? Arizona Educational Research Association Conference, Phoenix , AZ
  • Pray, L. (November, 2000). How long does it take special education, language minority students to learn English? Teacher Educators for Children with Behavior Disorders National Conference, Scottsdale , AZ
  • Carney, K. J., O'Cummings, M., & Pray, L. (February, 2001) Linking risk factors to prevention strategies for early childhood reading difficulties and behavior. Arizona CEC Conference, Phoenix , AZ
  • O'Cummings, M, Carney, K. J., & Pray, L. (February, 2001). The link between early childhood reading difficulties and behavior problems: Overview of risk factors and prevention strategies . Arizona State University Language and Literacy Conference, Tempe , AZ

Publications

  • Pray, L. An analysis of language assessments used in the referral and placement of language minority students to special education. Digital Dissertations , DAI-A 64/03, 766
  • Pray, L. A comparison of language acquisition rates of general and special education language minority students. (In preparation)
  • Pray, L. How well do commonly used language instruments measure English oral language proficiency? (In preparation)
  • Pray L., & MacSwan, J. Language, achievement, and socioeconomic status: How long do children need to acquire English? (In preparation)

Service Activities

  • Utah State University , Department of Elementary Education ESL program coordinator
  • Utah State University , Logan District/USU Department of Elementary Education Teacher Training Advisory Committee (2003-2004)
  • Department of Guest Reviewer, Education and Treatment of Children , 2000 to Present
  • The Responsive Ph.D. Initiative Committee member, 2001-2002
  • Special Education Teacher Inservice Committee member 2002
  • Special Education Search Committee liaison, 2001- 2003

Grant Activities

  • ASU Graduate Research Grant Competition (Spring 2002). Grant award funded by the Arizona State University Office of Graduate Student Affairs paid for expenses related to dissertation research

Upcoming Deadlines

  • October 1
    Apply to the Teacher Education Program

  • October 1
    Apply for Student Teaching