Dr Raymond (Ray) Adams has been given the King’s Birthday Honours AM for his significant service in education and psychometric testing.
The Fairhaven man has worked in educational research for more than 20 years and was the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) design leader.
“That’s really been a highlight,” he said.
“PISA is incredibly influential in policy settings about education worldwide, and I was the designer of that for the whole world internationally.”
Ray has had roles across many organisations, including the Australian Council for Education Research and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.
He said he fell into education and psychometric testing many years ago.
“I have an interest in education, statistics and mathematics and so it’s a combination of those two areas,” he said.
“I got involved in comparing student achievement outcomes across countries, and I found that incredibly interesting.
“It was eye opening in the sense of becoming aware of education all around the world and how it’s a challenge that the whole world faces.”
Ray said his favourite part about working in his career often changed, but he liked helping people and felt honoured to receive the Member of the Order (AM) award.
“I spend a lot of my time now working with offsiders, typically younger people, helping them contribute in their own way,” he said.
“I have a fairly severe disability, and it means I need 24-hour care. I can only keep doing what I do because of my wife. It makes me continue to live a satisfying life.”
