Nicholas A. Gage is a Senior Researcher in Special Education focused on advancing rigorous research and evaluation in learner variability and special education. Dr. Gage’s research interests are centered on the identification of policies and practices at the national, state, local, and classroom levels to support the academic, social, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. This work is grounded in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework, with a particular emphasis on positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS).
His expertise is in supporting researchers, schools, districts, and states in leveraging their data resources to best identify and develop effective and efficient systems of support for students’ academic and behavioral needs. Specific expertise includes statistical modeling, machine learning, research design and methodology, direct observation, single-subject research, MTSS, universal behavioral management, PBIS, Functional Behavioral Assessment, and evaluation of special education programs and practices.
Prior to joining WestEd, he was an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Florida, where he taught special education and research methods courses. Dr. Gage has over 110 peer-reviewed publications in many of the top-tier special education journals, and over 200 conference presentations. He serves on ten editorial boards and is has served as Associate Editor of Exceptional Children, the Elementary School Journal, preventing School Failure, and the Journal of Disability Policy Studies. He has received federal grants from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Office of Special Education Programs and served as lead evaluator or statistician on numerous randomized controlled trials.
Gage earned a PhD in special education and completed an IES postdoctoral fellowship.