Fang XU

Education 

Publications

1. Zeng, S., Ai, J., Kabir, P., Xu, F., Zhang, Y., Douglass, A. (accepted). Who is looking for new jobs? The characteristics of teacher turnover and factors that contribute to workforce retention. Early Childhood Research Quarterly 

2. Xu, F., Gage, N., Lane, H., Contesse, V., O’Steen, G., Bason, F. (2025). An observational study of student reading engagement during UFLI intensive intervention.  Reading & Writing Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1080/10573569.2024.2448195

3. Gu, P., Xu, F., Chen, L., Ma, Z., Zhang, M., Zhang, Y. (2024). Technological affordances and applications of chatbots for conversational skill interventions in autism: A scoping review. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-13191-z

4. Xu, F., Gage, N., Zeng, S., Zhang, M., Iun, A., O'Riordan, M., Kim, E., (2024). The Use of digital interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder - A meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06563-4

5. Fu, W., Ma, Z., Xu, F., Gu, P., He, S., Yang, L., Zhang, Y., Zhou, W. (2024). A pilot study of Chinese parents’ perceptions of friendships in autistic children. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2024.2428896

6. Zheng, Q., Snyder, P., & Xu, F. (2024). Characterizing Preschool Teachers’ Use of Teaching Practices to Promote Young Children’s Self-Determination Skills. Early Childhood Education Journal, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01705-w

7. Zhong, M., Qiu, J., Zhao, H., Xu, F., Iun, A., Shen, M., & Zeng, S. (2023). Chinese parent relationship and child social-emotional development: Insights for three-child policy. Current Psychology. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04706-x

8. Xu, F., Liao, T., Chen, G., ＆ Zhu, Z. (2016). A review: Using functional behavioral assessment to improve on-task behavior of children with disabilities. Journal of Modern Special Education (Academic), 24, 3-9.  DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1004-8014.2016.24.001. [Chinese]

9. Chen, G., & Xu, F. (2016). A case study of functional behavior assessment on problem behaviors of a student with autism in classrooms. Journal of Modern Special Education (Academic), 15, 61-66. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1004-8014.2016.15.011. [Chinese]

10. Zhu, Z., ＆ Xu, F. (2015). The exploration of Seguin's physiological method and thoughts of combining medicine and education. Educational Research and Experiment, 167(06), 84-89. [Chinese]

11. Zhu, Z., Zhang, X., Chai, L., ＆ Xu, F. (2015). An investigation of resource teachers in inclusive classroom in Zhejiang Province. Journal of Shaoxing University. 35(2):104-110. DOI:10.16169/j.issn.1008-293x.s.2015.02.021. [Chinese]

Publications (Under Review/In Revision)

1. Yuan, L., Xu, F., Huang, Y., Li, Z. (under review). Enhancing activity-based intervention delivery through performance feedback: A study on fidelity assessment tools. International Journal of Educational Research.

2. Zhang, Y., Gu, P., Zhang, M., Ma, Z., Yang, L., Zhang, Y., Chen, L., Xu, F. (under review).  Chinese parents’ behavior intention and acceptance of artificial intelligence for children with autism spectrum disorders. International Journal of Human Computer Interactions.

Research/Publication in Progress

1. Lead-Investigator, data analysis, Applying job-embedded professional development to improve special educators’ use of High-Leverage Practices. Collaborators: Nicholas Gage (WestEd), Danielle Waterfield (University of Virginia), Jun Ai, Yi Zhang (University of Tennessee, Knoxville). 

2. Lead-Investigator, data analysis, Exploring support received and needs of new special education teachers in rural areas, Collaborators: Jun Ai, Nicholas Gage (WestEd), Jing Huang (University of Florida).

3. Co-Investigator, data collection, Teacher supervision to classroom application: New teachers' perspectives on implementing FEAPs, Collaborators: Tara Mathien, Darbianne Shannon (University of Florida).

4. Co-Investigator, in manuscript write-up, Overview of meta‐analyses on non-pharmacological intervention for children and youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Songtian Zeng, Xiaotong Liu, Kim Michael (University of Massachusetts, Boston). 

5. Co-Investigator, in manuscript write-up, Friendship matters: Chinese educators’ views on social and developmental priorities for students with Autism. Beidi Gu, Huizhong He (Beijing normal University), Zijie Ma(Stride Autism Centers). 

6. Lead-Investigator, data analysis, I know friendship is important for children with autism, but…." A mixed method study of Chinese teacher’s perceptions, Huizhong He, Beidi Gu, Zijie Ma. 

7. Lead-Investigator, data analysis, Friendship through a parent’s lens: Perspectives on support and needs for children with autism in China, Huizhong He, Beidi Gu, Zijie Ma.  

Honors and Awards

04/2025   Special Education Legislative Summit Travel Grant 2025, Alexandria VA

03/2023     Doctoral Student Travel Grant, University of Florida

08/2022 - 08/2023   Graduate Assistantship, University of Florida

08/2018 - 08/2022   Graduate Fellowship, University of Florida

09/2014 - 06/2017   Second Prize Scholarship, Zhejiang Normal University

05/2017    Outstanding Graduates Awards at Zhejiang Normal University

10/2016    National Scholarship for Graduate Students, Zhejiang Normal University

10/2016    First Prize Scholarship for graduate students, Zhejiang Normal University

04/2016   Article "A case study of functional assessment on problem behaviors for a student with Autism in Class":

• First prize in the First Session Essay Competition "All for Children" in Hangzhou College of Early  Childhood  Teachers' Education, Zhejiang Normal University

• Second prize in Lize Educational Annual Conference "Innovation of Education in Internet Plus" in College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University

Research and Grant Experiences

PI, Job-Embedded Support for Teachers Using High-Leverage Practices (JUST-u-HLPs). Washington CEEDAR (Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform) Seed Grant, Consultant: Dr. Nicholas Gage (West Ed.).  WA CEEDAR State Leadership Team. $5000, 2024 – 2025. Funded.

Collaborative Writer, Examining the Evolution of Mental Health Among Racial Minority Early Care and Education Workforce from 2019 to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Latent Growth Modeling Approach. Secondary Analyses of Child Care and Education Data Grant, PI: Jun Ai, Ph.D., UTK. Co-PIs: Songtian Zeng, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Julia Yan, Ph.D., UTK. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. $100,000, 2024 – 2025. Funded, withdrawn due to agency decision. 

Consultant, Initiative to Improve Reading Outcomes for All Students: Cradle to Career in Lower Yakima Valley. PI: Suzy Diaz, Yakima Valley Partners for Education. $60,000.00, 2023-2025. Funded.

PI, Upgrading Support Opportunities to Advance Regional Special Educators (U-SOAR SpEd) Project.  Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program – Personnel Preparation of Special Education at Hispanic Serving Institutions (84.325M), Collaborators: Melissa Hill (Heritage University), WestEd team. $1,250,000.00, 2025-2030, Grant Cancelled.

Collaborator, Responsive Induction for Special Educators (RISE) Project. Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Early-phase Grants. PI: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction team, Collaborator: American Institutes for Research, University of Florida CEEDAR Center, Education Service Districts (ESDs) 105 & 121 (WA). Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. $6,000,000.00, 2024-2029. Unfunded.

PI (Heritage University), Teacher Resources and Artificial Intelligence for Nurturing Educational Resilience (TRAINER) Project, Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program Early-phase Grants. PI: Katabasis, University of Kentucky, Consultant: WestEd team. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education. $6,000,000.00, 2024-2029. Unfunded. 

Research Assistant, Florida Embedded Practices and Intervention with Caregivers (FL-EPIC) Early Steps Professional Development Project. Florida Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services, Early Steps, PI: Patricia Snyder (UF), Co-PI: Brian Reichow (UF). $1,610,355.00. 2019 - 2022. Funded.

Research Assistant, Embedded Instruction California Project, California Department of Education, Special Education Division, Napa County Office of Education, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, PI: Patricia Snyder (UF), Co-PI: Mary McLean (UF). $1,883,343.00. 2015 – 2021. Funded.

Test Administrator (trained), Second Evaluation of "Three Year Action Plan" on Kindergarten Students, The People’s Government of Zhejiang Province. 2014 - 2016. Funded

Conference and Invited Presentations

Peer-reviewed Presentation

1. Xu, F., Gage, N., Waterfield, D., Ai, J. (2025). Enhancing Special Educators' High-Leverage Practices: A Single-Case Study. Poster Presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood's (DEC) Annual International Conference. Portland, Oregan.

2. He, H., Xu, F., He, Y. (2025). Perception of Inclusion: Challenges and Needs from Chinese Preschool Teacher. Session Presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood's (DEC) Annual International Conference. Portland, Oregan.

3. Gu, P., Xu, F., Chen, L., Ma, Z., Zhang, M., Zhang, Y. (2025). Technological affordances and applications of chatbots for conversational skill interventions in autism: A scoping review. Roundtable Session at American Educational Research Association, Denver, Colorado.

4. Xu, F., Zeng, S., Gage, N., Zhang, M. (2024). The use of digital intervention for children with ASD: A meta-analysis. Poster Presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood's (DEC) Annual International Conference. New Orleans. Louisiana.

5. Zeng, S., Xu, F., Kim, M., & Liu, X. (2024). Applying evidence-based practices for young children with ADHD. Single session Presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Annual International Conference. New Orleans. Louisiana.

6. Xu, F., Ai, J., Estudillo, A., & Huang, J. (2024). Understanding challenges and needs of diverse new special education teachers in rural areas. Poster presentation at Teacher Education Division of Council for Exceptional Children. Pittsburgh, PA.

7. Zeng S., An Z., Corr, C., Ai, J., Zhang, H., Xu, F. (2023). Perceived problem behaviors and implicit bias for head start teachers. Poster Presentation. Minneapolis, MN. 

8. Zeng, S., Ai, J., Xu, F. (2024). Using weighted logistic regression method to understand characteristics of teacher turnover. Poster presentation at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA. 

9. Zheng, Q., Snyder, P., Xu, F. (2024). Characterizing preschool teachers’ use of teaching practices to promote young children’s self-determination skills. Poster presentation at Conference on Research Innovations in Early Intervention. San Diego, CA. 

10. Zeng S., An Z., Corr, C., Ai, J., Zhang, H., Xu, F. (2023). Perceived problem behaviors and implicit bias for head start teachers. Poster Presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood's (DEC) Annual International Conference. Minneapolis, MN. 

11. Xu, F., Lane, H., & Gage, N. (2023). An observational study of student reading engagement during UFLI intensive intervention., Presentation at Teacher Education Division of Council for Exceptional Children. Long Beach, CA. 

12. Xu, F., Lane, H., & Gage, N. (2023). The effect of reading intervention on student engagement for kindergarten to third grade: A systematic review. Kaleidoscope Session at Council for Exceptional Children Convention, Louisville, KY。

13. Zheng, Q., Snyder, P., & Xu, F. (2021). Observing self-determination teaching practices, Poster presentation at Council for Exceptional Children, Division for Early Childhood's (DEC) Annual International Conference, Virtual. 

Invited Talks