Jeongsuk Jang

A dedicated researcher and educator specializing in learning sciences, psycholinguistics, and the cognitive functions that underlie reading and learning. With over 10 years of experience leading evidence-based research projects, I have explored the academic development of socially, culturally, and economically marginalized student populations, including North Korean defector youth. My interdisciplinary research investigates how home environments, parental involvement, and psychological factors influence school outcomes and literacy development. These studies inform my work on developing teacher training programs, particularly for secondary education, to enhance professional growth through innovative pedagogy and cross-subject teaching approaches. I am deeply committed to advancing school-community collaboration by linking research with practice, using evidence-based interventions to support school reform and educational innovation. Through projects focused on school innovation and community-based learning, I contribute to creating inclusive, student-centered educational environments. My work with hybrid, virtual, and place-based learning also integrates interdisciplinary methods to ensure flexible, supportive environments for marginalized students.

• Reviewer, Forum for Linguistic Studies, 2023 - Present
• Advisory Committee Member, Chungbuk Regional Children's Center Support Group, 2021 - Present

• Research Professor, BK21 Program for Local Workforce Development for Future-Oriented Educational Autonomy, Department of Education, Kongju National University, 01/2020 - Present, Conducting research as part of Korea’s longest-running research and graduate student support program. Supported graduate students' research capacity while developing local experts capable of connecting schools, communities, and research to promote future-oriented educational autonomy.
• Researcher, Study on Guaranteeing Basic Academic Ability in K-12 Education (Sejong Special Autonomous City), 01/2022, Investigated and addressed learning deficiencies in K-12 students, establishing a support system for underachieving students. This study contributed to policy development for basic academic ability in K-12 education.
• Principal Investigator, Longitudinal Study on Innovative Schools in Elementary and Secondary Education (South Chungcheong Province), 01/2022 - 05/2023, Led a study tracking the growth of teachers and students in innovative schools. The study provided insights into educational policy reform and supported teacher training programs focused on innovative teaching practices.

• Learning Sciences
• Psycholinguistics and Cognitive Skills in Reading and Learning
• Special Education and Literacy Development
• Cross-Cultural and Inclusive Education
• Innovative Pedagogy and Technology Integration
• School-Community Collaboration and Educational Reform

• Literacy Self-perception and Reading Anxiety in Elementary Underachievers, Association for Reading and Writing in Asia, 02/29/2024, Investigated how students’ self-perception of literacy and reading anxiety affect their performance., Presented findings that contributed to teacher training programs aimed at addressing reading difficulties in underachieving students.
• The Mediating Role of Reading Anxiety in the Relationship between Reading Skills and Academic Achievement in Elementary School Students, 7th International Webinar on Cognitive and Behavioral Neurosciences, 07/24/2023, Explored the mediating role of reading anxiety on academic achievement in elementary students., Highlighted the importance of emotional and cognitive interventions in improving academic performance.
• Home Literacy Practices and Digital Divide during COVID-19: The Case of North Korean Families, The Korean Association for Multicultural Education (KAME), 05/20/2022, Analyzed the impact of home literacy practices and the digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic among North Korean families., Provided policy recommendations on addressing the digital divide in remote learning contexts.
• Relationship between Home Literacy Practices and Academic Achievement, The Korean Association for Multicultural Education (KAME), 08/12/2021
• Psychological Factors Influencing the Educational Outcomes of North Korean Students in South Korean Schools, Association for Reading and Writing in Asia (ARWA), 03/06/2021, Discussed how psychological factors, including mental health, affect the educational performance of North Korean students., Proposed interventions aimed at improving mental health support in schools to enhance educational outcomes.
• A Qualitative Study on the Characteristics and Barriers to Educational Involvement of North Korean Defector Parents, Learner-Centered Curriculum Education Research Conference, 06/19/2021, Investigated the characteristics and barriers to educational involvement among North Korean defector parents., Presented the unique challenges faced by North Korean parents in their involvement with their children’s education, providing the first qualitative analysis of its kind.
• A Methodological Analysis of Experimental and Quasi-experimental Research Studies on PREP Reading Intervention Program, CCRL Research Symposium, 02/19/2012

• Research Professor, Local Education Expert Training Program for Future-Oriented Educational Autonomy, 2020 - 2024, National Research Foundation of Korea, Developed local experts to promote school-community collaboration and future-oriented educational autonomy by linking research to practical applications in schools., Enhanced teacher training programs by integrating learning sciences and interdisciplinary approaches. This project supported schools in developing community-focused educational strategies that promote student engagement and academic success.
• Principal Investigator, Longitudinal Study on Educational Innovation Districts Growth Diagnosis (Incheon Metropolitan City), 2022 - 2023, Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education, Conducted a longitudinal analysis of educational innovation districts, focusing on the growth of teachers and students., The results provided actionable insights for teacher training in innovative teaching practices and community involvement, contributing to the growth of educational districts through evidence-based reforms.
• Principal Investigator, Longitudinal Study on Innovative Schools in Elementary and Secondary Education (South Chungcheong Province), 2022 - 2023, Chungcheongnam-do Office of Education, Conducted longitudinal tracking of growth and development in innovative schools, examining school organization, culture, and instructional practices., Informed teacher training workshops and guided schools in adopting evidence-based strategies for improving teaching and fostering innovative learning environments. This project provided key insights into school reform efforts in the region.
• Principal Investigator, Study on Guaranteeing Basic Academic Ability in K-12 Education (Sejong Special Autonomous City), 2022, External grant funding, Established a support system for underachieving students in K-12 education, emphasizing school accountability and the use of learning sciences to assess cognitive and reading skills., Developed diagnostic frameworks for identifying learning deficiencies and supported teacher training in improving reading instruction, ensuring greater learning readiness and academic success for students.
• Principal Investigator, Study on Practical Case Utilization of Local Educational Power, 2022, External grant funding, Investigated and analyzed practical case studies to define local educational power and its components., Provided insights into community-based education and supported the development of educational strategies that align school practices with local community needs.
• Principal Investigator, Survey on Reading Habits and Reading Skills in Elementary and Secondary Schools (Sejong Special Autonomous City), 2022, External grant funding from Sejong City Office of Education Research Institute, Assessed the relationship between students' reading habits, skills, and academic achievement, emphasizing cognitive factors in literacy development., The study's findings informed teacher and parent interventions to improve literacy and provided evidence-based recommendations for enhancing reading instruction across schools.
• Principal Investigator, Survey on Lifelong Learning Status (Guro-gu, Seoul), 2022, Guro-gu City district office in Seoul, Conducted a survey to analyze the status of lifelong learning in Guro-gu and its impact on educational policies., Offered insights to policymakers on how to integrate lifelong learning strategies into the broader educational framework, improving opportunities for adult learners.
• Principal Investigator, Study on the Community Spirit and Growth Plan for Educational Innovation Districts (Guro-gu, Seoul), 2022, Guro-gu City district office in Seoul, Investigated the role of community spirit in the growth and success of educational innovation districts., The study provided a roadmap for fostering community engagement and improving the collaborative relationship between schools and communities, informing district-wide educational reform efforts.
• Co-researcher, Comprehensive Analysis of the Longitudinal Study on Innovative Schools (South Chungcheong Province), 2024, External grant funding, Conducted a comprehensive analysis of three years of quantitative and qualitative data from the longitudinal study on innovative schools., Provided key policy recommendations to educational leaders and supported teacher development and school improvement efforts, driving school innovation and enhancing student outcomes.
• Co-researcher, Study on School and Community Collaboration for Future-Oriented Career Education in Secondary Schools, 2024, External grant funding, Analyzed the current status and challenges of career education in secondary schools, focusing on school-community collaboration., Proposed strategies for linking schools with local communities to enhance career education, contributing to student preparedness for the future workforce.
• Co-researcher, Comprehensive Diagnosis and Mid- to Long-Term Development Plan for Educational Innovation Districts (Guro-gu, Seoul), 2021 - 2022, External grant funding from Guro-gu City district office in Seoul, Conducted a comprehensive diagnosis of educational innovation districts to develop a mid- to long-term development plan., Provided strategic recommendations for educational reform, focusing on strengthening teacher capacity and community involvement in educational innovation districts.
• Co-researcher, Longitudinal Study on School Innovation and Student Growth (Sejong Special Autonomous City), 2021 - 2022, External grant funding from Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City Office of Education, Collected and analyzed data over three years on school innovation and student growth., The study's findings were used to inform educational policy and guide school reform efforts, ensuring that innovation practices were aligned with student development goals.
• Co-researcher, Emotional Play Support and Adaptation Enhancement for Children and Adolescents from Multicultural Families, 2021, External grant funding, Investigated emotional play support and its role in enhancing the adaptation of children and adolescents from multicultural families., Informed interventions for teachers and counselors, helping improve emotional and social support for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Co-researcher, Consulting Project for Local (Village) Educational Communities (Osan City), 2021, External grant funding, Provided consulting services to village-based educational communities in Osan City to strengthen local education., Supported the design and implementation of community-driven educational strategies, improving school-community collaboration and promoting locally relevant education.
• Co-researcher, Comprehensive Diagnosis and Mid- to Long-Term Development Plan for Educational Innovation Districts (Incheon Metropolitan City), 2021, External grant funding from Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education, Conducted a comprehensive diagnosis of educational innovation districts in Incheon to develop a mid- to long-term development plan., Supported school leaders and policymakers in developing strategies for teacher development, school reform, and educational innovation.
• Co-researcher, Mid- to Long-Term Development Strategy for Educational Innovation Districts (North Chungcheong Province), 2021, External grant funding from Chungbuk Provincial Office of Education, Developed a mid- to long-term strategy for the growth and improvement of educational innovation districts., Provided recommendations for strengthening teacher training programs and aligning school practices with educational innovation goals.
• Researcher, Survey on the Status of Student Human Rights in Elementary and Secondary Education (South Chungcheong Province), 2022, External grant funding from Chungcheongnam-do Office of Education, Conducted a survey on the status of student human rights in elementary and secondary schools., Informed policies on student rights and provided guidance on how to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.

• Founder, KoKoA (S. Korea, N. Korea, Asia Children and Youth Support Program), 2016, The program offers emotional and academic support, focusing on students from marginalized communities who face unique challenges due to their socio-cultural backgrounds.
• Advisory Committee Member, Chungbuk Regional Children's Center Support Group, Chungbuk, South Korea, 2021 - Present, Participated in regional meetings for the 'Slow Learners Support Program,' contributing to the development of teacher training workshops focused on strategies for supporting slow learners.
• Workshop Organizer, Practical Case Utilization of Local Educational Power, Chungnam, South Korea, 2023, Promoted the development of locally relevant education strategies, fostering stronger links between schools and communities.
• Consultant, Local (Village) Educational Communities Project, Osan City, 2021, Supported the development of community-driven educational models that foster school-community collaboration and local involvement in education.
• Program Creator and Manager, Internship and Volunteer Program, Kongju National University and University of Alberta, 2022, Promoted cross-cultural understanding and collaboration between students from different cultural backgrounds.
• Workshop and Consultant, PASS Reading Enhancement Program for Secondary School Teachers, Chungnam, South Korea, 2021 - Present, Trained teachers in evidence-based reading interventions to improve literacy outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

• The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on School Adaptation of North Korean Defector Youth, The Review of Social Science, 9, 2, 483-503, 04/2024, Examined the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the school adaptation of North Korean defector youth., Findings highlighted the need for psychosocial interventions in schools to support students with trauma histories.
• Factors Influencing the Improvement of Elementary Students' Basic Reading Skills: A Mixed-Methods Approach from the Teachers' Perspective, The Review of Social Science, 9, 1, 249-265, 01/2024, Analyzed teacher perspectives on improving elementary students’ basic reading skills through mixed-methods research., Supported the development of teacher training programs for reading instruction.
• Relations of Vocabulary and Cognitive Skills with Reading Performance of North Korean Students in South Korean Schools, Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 52, 1, 241-259, 01/2023, Investigated how cognitive skills influence reading performance among North Korean defector students., Supported psycholinguistic interventions to aid language development.
• Differences in Teachers' Perception of Innovative Education District: Focusing on the case of Incheon Education Innovation District, Journal of Education & Culture, 28, 3, 55-74, 01/2022
• The Relationship between Language Differences and Cognitive Skills: Language Differences between North and South Korea and North Korean Children’s Cognitive Skills, KNU Journal of Educational Research, 36, 1, 33-55, 01/2021, Explored how language differences affect cognitive skills among North Korean children.
• Characteristics and Hindering Factors of North Korean Parental Involvement in Their Children’s Education: A Qualitative Research, Learner-Centered Curriculum Education Research, 21, 11, 695-715, 01/2021, Examined parental involvement challenges for North Korean defector families.
• How are home literacy environment and youth’s academic performance associated? What South and North Korean parental involvement reveals., KEDI Journal of Educational Policy, 18, 2, 45-64, 01/2021, Investigated home literacy environments and academic performance, comparing South and North Korean parental involvement.
• A Qualitative Study on the Characteristics and Barriers to Educational Involvement of North Korean Defector Parents, 06/19/2021
• (Psychological and Social) Factors Influencing the Educational Outcomes of North Korean Students in South Korean Schools, PhD thesis, University of Alberta, 01/2018