Using Test Scores to Cultivate Equitable Education Systems

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This symposium is designed to explore how educational assessments can and are being used to cultivate more equitable education systems, from elementary school through graduate school. While there are pervasive societal views that assessments only serve as barriers to equity and diversity, there are also examples of how assessments can be used to promote equity and diversity and serve as tools toward sound and supportive educational decision-making for all students. We will share recent research on how educational assessments can be culturally responsive to support student growth, diversify the pipeline of students in STEM, measure innovative and relevant constructs to supplement academic readiness information, and provide value as objective measures against the backdrop of more subjective data.

Sub Unit

• Division D - Measurement and Research Methodology / Division D - Section 1: Educational Measurement, Psychometrics, and Assessment

Chair

• Emily J. Shaw, The College Board

Papers

• Using Assessment Results to Help K–12 Learners Academically Grow and Stretch - Rochelle S. Michel, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

• The Thoughtful Use of Test Scores to Diversify the STEM Pipeline - Jessica Marini, The College Board

• The Promise of Socio-Emotional Learning Measures: Improving the Validity and Diversity of a College Admission System - Jeremy Burrus, ACT, Inc.; Krista D. Mattern, National Board of Medical Examiners

• Admissions in Graduate Education: Challenges and Promises - Ou Lydia Liu, Educational Testing Service

Discussant

• Wayne J. Camara, Law School Admission Council