Test validity - Symposium on Inclusive Educational Assessment, Neurodiversity and Disability
Channel: Bruno D. Zumbo
Date: 2023-10-21

Invited address to the Symposium on Inclusive Educational Assessment, Neurodiversity and Disability, Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, 19th October 2023 
TITLE:  The Challenges and Promise of Embracing the Many Ways of Being Human: Toward an Ecologically Informed In Vivo View of Validation Practices.
ABSTRACT: Validation research in support of claims made from assessments in the twenty‐first century has become more nuanced and less formulaic due in considerable measure to the field of assessment embracing, rather than merely accommodating, the diversity of test takers. In short, several assessment theorists have taken on the challenges (and the promise) provided by awareness and, hopefully, greater understanding and respect for test takers who represent neurodiversity, diverse cultures, beliefs, and historical experiences. Within this context, Zumbo’s ecologically informed in vivo view of validation practices embracing the many ways of being human has developed over the past decade. Although precursors to Zumbo’s approach date back to the early 1970s, the expansion of this research model became possible more recently with digital innovations and advances in data science. This presentation will briefly describe the motivation for and critical concepts in this model of assessment research to address the theme of this symposium on inclusive educational assessment, neurodiversity and disability.