The Measurement of Sociocultural Equity in Preschool through Elementary Environments

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

This symposium presents equity-driven and practitioner-focused research from preschool and elementary classrooms using two newly developed classroom environment tools. Theoretically driven by work on culturally responsive teaching and anti-bias education (e.g., Gay, 2013; Ladson-Billings, 2014), the proposed symposium papers examine novel forms of measurement to capture equitable classroom environments.

Study 1 assessed the validity of the Assessing Classroom Sociocultural Equity Scale (ACSES) for Pre-K to third grade classrooms. This observational tool was used to measure teacher interactions with racially marginalized learners, alternatives to male-oriented and Eurocentric knowledge, and fair and equitable discipline. Study 2 utilized ACSES to examine variations in scores across content domains (e.g., language, math) and classroom activity formats (e.g., whole group, small group). Study 3 validated and utilized the Communal Socialization (CS) Scale for minoritized third to fifth grade students (i.e., Black, Latine, students experiencing poverty) to understand how teachers leverage students’ values for social connectedness to their peer, local, and global communities in math teaching and learning and to develop their sense of math identity.

These papers introduce new forms of quantifiable measurement and offer varied perspectives to better understand the classroom experiences of racially marginalized learners. Collectively, this scholarship advances the important work of highlighting culturally responsive teaching and learning in preschool and elementary settings, the indicators found to sustain it, and its relation to positive outcomes for students’ identity and achievement. Presenters will discuss how new forms of measurement can be used to help promote equitable and culturally sustaining environments.

Sub Unit

• Education, Schooling

Chair

• Tamika L McElveen, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Discussant

• Stephanie Michelle Curenton, Boston University

Individual Presentations

• Validation of the Assessing Classroom Sociocultural Equity Scale (ACSES) in Pre-Kindergarten to Third Grade Classrooms - Presenting Author: Molly J Goldberg, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Dalhia Lloyd, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Gullnar Syed, SRI International - District of Columbia; Greg Welch, Buffett Early Childhood Institute; Stephanie Michelle Curenton, Boston University

• Variations in Equitable Sociocultural Interactions Based on the Content and Format of Classroom Learning Activities - Presenting Author: Dalhia Lloyd, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Molly J Goldberg, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Gullnar Syed, SRI International - District of Columbia; Greg Welch, Buffett Early Childhood Institute; Stephanie Michelle Curenton, Boston University; Jacqueline P. Sims, Boston University

• Associations between Communal Socialization and the Math Identity and Performance of Minoritized Elementary Students - Presenting Author: Tamika L McElveen, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Caroline Byrd Hornburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Amanda S. Mayes, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Dana Miller-Cotto, Kent State University; Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino, Santa Clara County Office of Education; Sara Anne Schmitt, University of Oregon; Sarah Powell; David James Purpura, Purdue University, West Lafayette