Developing a Scale to Measure Higher Education Instructors' Equity-Mindedness

• In Event: Toward an Equity-Minded Pedagogy and Praxis

Abstract

The concept of “equity-mindedness” is now widely used to describe how the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of higher education faculty facilitate or impede more equitable outcomes for racially minoritized students (Bensimon, 2007). However, no quantitative measure exists for assessing the extent to which these faculty are “equity-minded.” In this study, we describe the development and validation of a measure of higher education instructors’ equity-mindedness. We begin by describing the construct of equity-mindedness and provide motivation for the creation of an equity-minded measure. We then outline the process and methods for developing the measure and collecting initial validity evidence. Finally, we close with a discussion of next steps in the validation process.

Authors

• Akua Nkansah-Amankra, University of Southern California

• David Quinn, University of Southern California

• Debbie Hanson, University of Southern California

• Tara-Marie Kirsten Desruisseaux, University of Southern California

• Estela M. Bensimon, University of Southern California