Dr. Thomas is Professor Emeritus of Evaluation & Research Methodology in the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. His Ph.D. training and primary professional experience are in program evaluation methodology and social science research methods. He also has extensive experience in designing large-scale databases and developing computer software for purposes of student testing, program evaluation, and educational data management. His research and publications focus on the evaluation of school effectiveness for linguistically and culturally diverse students and Title I students and the evaluation of educational technology applications.

He is a former computer programmer & analyst, high school math & physics teacher, and school system central office administrator in school planning, testing, and program evaluation. He teaches doctoral courses in program evaluation, advanced quantitative research methods, and instructional technology; he advises doctoral students on program evaluation and research methods issues; and directs doctoral dissertations. He has formerly served as director of the university's Center for Interactive Educational Technology and as head of the graduate program in Instructional Technology.

Since 1985, he has collaborated with Dr. Virginia Collier in work on school effectiveness for linguistically and culturally diverse students. Currently, he is senior author (with Dr. Collier) of the largest studies ever conducted to investigate the long-term school success of English learners. Their award-winning joint research has been utilized by many school systems in the U.S. and abroad to reform the education of linguistically and culturally diverse students and to promote school improvement for both native English speakers and English learners.

To contact Dr. Thomas, email wthomas@gmu.edu.