Dr. Randy Bennett – Socioculturally Responsive Assessment: What Is It and What Does it Look Like?

The Learning Sciences Research Institute & the Department of Educational Psychology Speaker Series

Presents

Dr. Randy Bennett, Educational Testing Service

Title: Socioculturally Responsive Assessment: What Is It and What Does it Look Like?

Monday, April 4

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Via Zoom. The lecture is free and open to the public but registration is required.

Abstract: Growing opposition to the use of traditional standardized tests in both k-12 systems and postsecondary admissions is fueled in part by the perception that these kinds of tests perpetuate social injustice through their content, design, and use. To position assessment as a tool that can be used to help enact equity, we must rethink assessment with a focus on how to make it more socioculturally responsive. This presentation offers a (1) brief rationale, (2) provisional principles for assessment design, (3) a working definition based on those principles, (4) examples to illustrate selected aspects, and (5) the beginnings of a theory with some suggestions for a path toward implementation.

Speaker Bio: Randy Bennett is the Norman O. Frederiksen Chair in Assessment Innovation at the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Since the 1980s, he has conducted research on integrating advances in cognitive science, technology, and measurement to create new approaches to assessment intended to have positive impact on teaching and learning. For his work he has received the ETS Career Achievement Award, the Teachers College Distinguished Alumnus Award, the National Council on Measurement in Education’s (NCME) Bradley Hanson Award for Contributions to Educational Measurement, and the E. F. Lindquist Award from AERA. He has served as President of the International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) and as President of NCME. He is a Fellow of AERA and member of the National Academy of Education.