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Soothe the Burn: UndersSoothe the Burn: Understanding and reducing bias in student assessmenttanding and reducing bias in student assessment
Objective: Student assessment is prone to bias as evaluators are vulnerable to implicit biases and Clerkship Directors may unwittingly amplify these biases in students’ assessments. Concerns have been raised nationally regarding grade distributions and inclusion to AOA that have fallen along gender and racial lines. This workshop will provide motivation for participants to evaluate the role of bias in their assessment touchpoints and to effectively implement strategies to mitigate bias in their ObGyn Clerkships.
Workshop Agenda: We will review existing literature regarding bias and assessment, including in letters of recommendation, grade assignment, and AOA selection.
• Clerkship data from different institutions will be shared to highlight bias concerns as well as to demonstrate how to conduct an internal grade audit. (15 minutes)
• Small group breakouts will include different scenarios of bias with discussion around mitigation strategies.(20 minutes)
• Each group will report out to the larger group with their scenario and ideas. (15 minutes)
• We will conclude with established bias mitigation strategies and share two institutional experiences in attempting to obtain equity in clinical grading. (20 minutes)
Interactive Component: Small group discussions will use scenarios of how bias can be introduced into assessment - a letter of recommendation, a grade assignment based on others’ comments, a Dean’s letter narrative based on others’ comments, and a grade appeal policy and example - to launch mitigation ideas.
Take Home Product: Participants will receive access to a repository of pertinent articles and a summary of mitigation strategies, including an immediately-implementable approach for a grading audit.
Topics:
Faculty Development Seminar, 2021, Student, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, UME, Assessment,
