Creating Culturally and Socially Responsible Assessments in the University Classroom Learning Community

Community Information

Community Duration: Spring 2025

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Modality & Location: Online via Zoom

Community Participants:

This community is geared for instructors and new faculty, but all faculty are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Graduate students may participate in this community if they are an instructor of record. 

Community Description:

The learning community is titled “Creating Culturally and Socially Responsible Assessments in the University Classroom”. We will read and discuss Catherine S. Taylor’s text of a similar name. Although the book is geared towards K-12 practices, our discussions will make explicit connections to the university environment. 

Awareness of culturally and socially responsible assessments in higher education is critical, as many of the assessments typically used in the classroom are grounded in the language, experiences, and values of the dominant White culture in the United States. Understanding how students from multicultural backgrounds experience assessment in the classroom and adapting assignments to be more responsible will enrich the classroom experience. 

This learning community is appropriate to any faculty or adjunct instructors. The structure will include individual reading and collaborative interactive discussion groups in 6 virtual meetings. We will contribute resources for the CFE website and a presentation at a BGSU-hosted conference.

The book will provided to all community participants.

Community Learning Outcomes:

By participating in this community, you will be able to:

• Understand theoretical perspectives on assessment and diverse classrooms. 
• Recognize bias and sensitivity issues in current classroom assessments. 
• Analyze culturally relevant and socially responsible assessment. 
• Foster greater student engagement in assessments. 
• Consider a situative perspective on assessment and diverse classrooms. 
• Develop culturally sustaining and anti-racist assessments for a diverse classroom. 

Participant Expectations*:

As a member of this community, you are expected to:

• Meet the program learning outcomes.
• Attend at least 4 out of the 6 virtual meetings.
• Complete all of the readings and be prepared to discuss contents and experiences in small or full group settings.
• Complete a required reflection at the end of the learning community.
• Contribute to a presentation at the Teaching & Learning Summit.

*Participants in this community must meet the stated participant expectations in order to be eligible to receive funds for participation.