Culturally Responsive Assessment

What if how we learn is filtered through our culture?  In this episode, we kick off a new series inspired by the book Culturally Responsive Assessment in Classrooms and Large-Scale Contexts. We explore why it's crucial to think about the role of culture in assessment design and take a look back at the origins of culturally relevant pedagogy, given the interdependence between curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment. Join us as we start a conversation about making assessments more fair and accurate for all students.

Research & resources from the episode:

• Culturally Responsive Assessment in Classrooms and Large-Scale Contexts

• Center for Assessment’s blog on the book

• Edutopia: Assessment as a three-legged stool

• Psychometrician Gregory Cizek’s explanation of validity

• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Dr. Zaretta Hammond

In this concluding chapter of our series based on Culturally Responsive Assessments, we move from theory to sustainable practice. First, we shine a light on the core challenges preventing change, such as limited instructional materials, the struggle to maintain rigor while adapting culturally, and unconscious bias in teacher perceptions. Then, we give listeners some practical solutions straight from the book, outlining key best practices like targeted training and support, purposeful assessment design, better methods for evaluating student work, effective communication about student progress, and strategic use of assessment results. Tune in and get the tools you need to make this critical shift stick.

Research & resources from the episode:

• Culturally Responsive Assessment in Classrooms and Large-Scale Contexts

• Data Lit’s Rubrics Series

• Data Lit’s Feedback Series

• Grant Wiggins’ Seven Elements of Effective Feedback

• John Hattie’s The Power of Feedback