Unveiling Racism: A Systematic Review of Racism Survey Measures in Education

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Reconceptualizing Measurement, Classification, and Validity in Critical Quantitative Work

Abstract

Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and the ethos of QuantCrit, this study examines various scales to identify gaps and challenges in measuring racism within school settings. This review guides researchers in selecting instruments that measure racism and advocates for more targeted resources and support. Reviewing 66 studies and 50 unique scales, key findings include the overreliance on scales designed to measure racial discrimination at the intrapersonal level, while systemic and structural factors are often overlooked. The results demonstrate the need to move beyond measures of intrapersonal racism to multi-dimensional tools and the necessity of constant reevaluation of the tools used to match the shifting cultural realities of how racism operates, and the specific ways it impacts marginalized communities.

Authors

• Juan R. Cruz, Harvard University

• Wendy Castillo, Montclair State University

• Rachel L. Renbarger, FHI 360

• Sasha C. Mejia-Bradford, University of Pennsylvania