Improving Learning Through Assessment Rubrics Student Awareness Of What And How They Learn

"This book provides a set of theoretical issues (concepts and approaches), methodological elements (strategies, roles and procedures) and practical resources (experiences and good practices) for the assessment of university learning using rubrics to evaluate student outcomes"--

Assessment by rubrics has emerged as a tool with great potential to guide successful student learning from a competency-based approach. Rubrics, as instruments that make it possible to share the criteria for carrying out learning and assessment tasks with students, are excellent roadmaps for student learning largely because they allow students to know what they are expected to do and what they are expected to achieve by carrying out the learning tasks. Improving Learning Through Assessment Rubrics: Student Awareness of What and How They Learn contributes to the improvement of what is being evaluated by identifying the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the didactic use of rubrics in the assessment of university learning. The book also provides a set of theoretical issues, methodological elements, and practical resources for the assessment of university learning using rubrics. Covering topics such as active learning, self-assessment, and teacher identity, this reference work is ideal for administrators, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, educators, and students.

Recently, there has been a growing demand for diversity and inclusion in schools worldwide to ensure effective learning for every student. Efforts have been made to support teachers in promoting diversity in classrooms, but research shows that students with learning disabilities (LD), including autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disabilities, dyslexia, and executive dysfunction, still struggle to keep up despite having individualized education programs (IEPs). These students are not receiving the necessary support they need to learn effectively in the classroom, leaving them behind and often completely unprepared for their futures. When intersectional statistics are taken into account, students who have a learning disability and are among minority ethnic groups have even lower rates of earning a diploma than their counterparts. Changes in the educational system must be made to close this learning chasm and create a more equitable learning environment. Closing the Educational Achievement Gap for Students With Learning Disabilities increases awareness of the issue of inequalities in education for students with learning disabilities through improved training programs for teachers, recommendations for policy changes, and development of new strategies to close the gap between these students and their classmates. The goal of this book is to educate and empower educators, researchers, and policymakers on how they can help students with learning disabilities thrive academically and emotionally. It examines the barriers that prevent teachers from effectively providing instruction to these students. This book covers topics such as achievement gaps, student-centered approaches, and culturally responsive teaching and is ideal for educators, professionals, researchers, special education professionals, speech and occupational therapists, disability service providers, intervention strategists, psychologists, parents, and local communities.

As diversity based on gender identity and sexual orientation remains a target for discrimination, exclusion, and violence in multiple contexts, it is necessary to advocate for comprehensive and quality sexuality and gender education to achieve equity and equality. This co-edited book provides a comprehensive reflection on how education professionals can foster inclusive education in terms of diversity based on gender identity and sexual orientation that impacts positively both LGBTIQ+ and non-LGBTIQ+ students. Promoting Inclusive Education Through the Integration of LGBTIQ+ Issues in the Classroom offers theoretical considerations and practical examples of how LGBTIQ+ issues can be addressed in education, including instances of curriculum responses, teacher training, and recommendations for supporting LGBTIQ+ students. Its target audience includes international teachers of all areas and educational stages, educators, curriculum developers, instructional designers, principals, school boards, academicians, researchers, administrators, and policymakers. The chapters cover theoretical background, practical examples, and guidelines and recommendations for LGBTIQ+-inclusive education policymaking. This book serves as a reference for anyone interested in making education more inclusive in terms of diversity based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Family engagement varies in education literature and often includes collaboration, involvement, and partnership. The term “family in schools” has changed to include extended family members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and others who interact with the child, such as step-parents, caregivers, and neighbors. Family engagement is a practice, an interactive process, and a goal-oriented relationship involving professionals and families, allowing families to share their perspectives about their children, their learning, and their customs to improve their children's education. Advocating and Empowering Diverse Families of Students With Disabilities Through Meaningful Engagement provides the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for effective engagements of all families with children in special education. With recent changes in student population diversity among those enrolling in special education, the diversity of family compositions in the school system is also evolving. Covering topics such as laws and legal infrastructure, special education, and family engagement, this book is ideal for classroom teachers, administrators, researchers, and students in education programs.

This new edition retains the appeal, clarity and practicality that made the first so successful, and continues to provide a fundamental introduction to the principles and purposes of rubrics, with guidance on how to construct them, use them to align course content to learning outcomes, and apply them in a wide variety of courses, and to all forms of assignment. Reflecting developments since publication of the first edition, the authors have extended coverage to include:* Expanded discussion on use of rubrics for grading* Grading on-line with rubrics* Wider coverage of rubric types (e.g., holistic, rating scales)* Rubric construction in student affairs* Pros and cons of working with "ready-made" rubrics* Using rubrics to improve your teaching, and for SoTL* Use of rubrics in program assessment (case study)* Application of rubrics in the arts, for study abroad, service learning and students’ independent learning * Up-dated literature review

The neglect of faith and religious diversity within educational practices poses a significant challenge in fostering inclusive learning environments. The current educational landscape often overlooks the profound impact of religion on individuals' identities and beliefs, leading to a lack of understanding and appreciation for diverse faith perspectives. This omission limits the potential for meaningful dialogue and hinders the development of equitable educational spaces. The Role of Faith and Religious Diversity in Educational Practices, edited by Jason DeHart, offers a compelling solution to address this critical issue. This transformative book explores the intersections between faith and educational practices, drawing on research-based narratives and studies to illuminate the implications of policy and practice through a faith-based lens. By embracing a broad definition of religion and faith, it fosters diverse perspectives and encourages critical reflection on the importance of religious diversity in education. Through practical insights and evidence-based guidance, this book empowers researchers and educators to create inclusive spaces for faith-related discussions and develop policies that honor and respect religious identities. By engaging with this book, scholars and educators can take tangible steps toward cultivating inclusive and enriching learning environments that value and celebrate the diverse religious perspectives of all students.

The roles of school leaders are ever-expanding. Along with the increase comes heightened expectations to create and sustain school environments that embrace the cultures of all students and families. To accomplish this optimally inclusive learning culture and climate, school leaders must possess the acumen to view all aspects of their responsibilities through a culturally responsive lens, hence, culturally responsive leadership. Culturally Responsive Leadership for Social Justice and Academic Equity for All offers a multi-faceted approach to culturally responsive leadership as it connects the concept to the various responsibilities of school leaders. The book also challenges school leaders to see the connective and comprehensive nature of culturally responsive leadership in their daily duties and responsibilities, introduces the concept of culturally responsive leadership and its benefits for all students, and prompts and initiates an educational leadership mindset that seeks to explore the impact of culturally responsive leadership further. Covering key topics such as equity, school culture, and professional development, this premier reference source is ideal for administrators, policymakers, researchers, scholars, academicians, practitioners, instructors, students, preservice teachers, and teacher educators.