Research & methodology

The research and standards behind SpeechGradebook

Doctoral work on public speaking learning outcomes, NCA-informed rubrics, and Practice growth indicators. How the framework is built, and what it does not claim.

Learning outcomes tracking view

What makes the framework research-informed

Measurable growth

Practice combines performance data with survey-informed indicators (PRCA-24 and CCS) for progress tracking, not clinical diagnosis.

Instructor-in-the-loop by design

Instructor authority

AI drafts scores and feedback. Instructors review and save the official grade.

Rubric fidelity

Evaluations map to your rubric categories and point values, not generic advice.

FERPA-oriented design

Consent-aware workflows and role-based access for higher education use. Not described as FERPA certified without formal review.

Instructor corrections inform future model training but do not retrain the live production model in real time.

A different evaluation path for rehearsal

Practice retrieves patterns from real instructor evaluations to generate rubric-aligned feedback for self-directed rehearsal. It combines rubric scores with a dual-source baseline profile (saved speeches plus PRCA-24 and CCS indicators). Available in limited early access; included for coaching clients during this phase.

Practice provides coaching and progress feedback, not an official course grade, clinical assessment, or diagnostic score.

Designed for reflection, not diagnosis

What the framework supports

  • Research-informed, rubric-based speech evaluation
  • Crosswalks to recognized public speaking standards when appropriate
  • Survey-informed baseline and progress indicators in Practice
  • Instructor review before saving official course grades

What it does not claim

  • FERPA certified or compliant status without formal review
  • Official endorsement by NCA or other standards bodies
  • Clinical, diagnostic, or video-derived PRCA-24 or CCS scores
  • Broad public Practice launch or open signup availability

Further reading

See the framework in action

Try the Evaluation demo, or explore Practice for individual rehearsal.