Dr Lorraine Frost

Professor, Faculty of Education, Nipissing University, Ontario, Canada

Test Bias and First Nations Students

Abstract

The proposed paper will report on research concerning achievement test fairness and bias among Canadian indigenous (First Nation) children. Standardized achievement assessment results collected in 13 First Nations communities will be discussed. Examples of test bias occurring with this population will be presented. The educational assessment of First Nation children presents challenges in balancing the need for information on student performance with the responsibility to protect students from biased assessment. Fair and unbiased assessment of First Nations children is especially difficult because of: varying acculturation of students; lack of specifically designed assessment materials for these small populations; problems in parsing out poverty's effects; and educators' differing views on the importance of exposing minority children to mainstream culture. Discussion of the research results will be framed in part around these challenges. Recommendations for assessment practice will be made.

Bionote

Lorraine Frost is a member of the Faculty of Education, Nipissing University, located in North Bay, Canada. Dr. Frost conducts research in the areas of special education, educational assessment, and the education of minority group children. Dr. Frost teaches in the areas of Educational Psychology and Special Education.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests
Overhead Projector

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Canada