Dr. Robert Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Science (MSc) in Neurobiology from Laval University, a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from St. Thomas University (Canada), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education from the University of New Brunswick.

Robert has considerable experience in education, ranging from teaching high school science and mathematics, to serving as a provincial science consultant, Assistant Director of Curriculum, and Director of Assessment and Evaluation in New Brunswick. He also gained pan-Canadian experience as a member of the first School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP) Science Development Team for the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). In addition, he was part of the national group that authored the Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes, K-12, a reference document for curriculum developers across Canada. Dr. Laurie co-authored the first version of the pan-Canadian Assessment Program’s (PCAP) Science Assessment Framework. Internationally, Robert represented Canada at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Science Forum, which led to the 2006 administration of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). He was also a member of the PISA 2006 Science Expert Group. At the Learning Bar, he served as Project Manager for the team that developed the contextual questionnaires for the OECD’s PISA-D Project, and he directed the Confident Learners Initiative, which created a comprehensive reading program in collaboration with thirty-two First Nations across six Canadian provinces.

Dr. Laurie has a passion for educational assessment, emphasizing its role in benefitting both students and teachers. He highlights the importance of using assessment to identify students who need support and ensuring that schools are equipped to help them succeed. This commitment to support student learning led him to co-found and serve as CEO of TRICOAST Education, a company that developed the Curriculum-Based Dynamic Assessment (CBDA) to screen for students with developmental language disorder (DLD). The company also produces a series of children’s books designed to entertain and inform parents, educators, and children about DLD. Robert is also the President and founder of REL Consultants Inc. and a partner at WMA Wellness, organizations that provide positive psychology products and services to enhance workplace well-being, engagement, and performance. His responsibilities include developing and validating resources and questionnaires, analyzing research data, facilitating training workshops, and presenting at scientific conferences. In addition to these roles, Robert is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick. He is fluent in English and French and is improving his Spanish daily.

Robert has been following the evolution of online assessments in Canada and globally, emphasizing their potential to become more interactive, engaging, and inclusive. He notes that online platforms, such as those being implemented in Canada, can replicate real-world scenarios, accommodate diverse learning needs, and integrate technologies like AI, which are set to revolutionize assessments.

In his free time, Robert enjoys unwinding at his family cottage and kayaking on the Saint John River near Fredericton. Please feel free to contact Robert at: robert@tricoasteducation.com.