For adults to help students who cannot work independently to complete a group rubric
Purpose: The Culturally Responsive Schooling (CRS) rubrics can either be completed in a group discussion format or individually (more like a survey). This guide is to facilitate the completion of one or more of the CRS rubrics in groups. Group conversation allows students to discuss the items on the rubric and reach group agreement on each item’s score.
Languages: The student group rubrics are only available in English.
Participants: Students who need teacher direction and cannot work independently in groups.
Before students meet: Review the rubric(s) to ensure you understand what each item is asking. Be able to explain the progression of engagement (Exploring, Growing, Utilizing, Transforming) and the 9-point rating scale to students. If needed, consult the glossary (opens in new tab) for any clarifications around vocabulary. Decide if you will have a student record scores in the rubric and/or add comments or you will complete the rubric based on student input (the recorder).
Materials: At least one student in each group will need access to a device with the internet. To access the rubric(s), you should have received an email with a link and ID sent by the school’s CRS Registrar. Make sure you have the link and ID sent by email (either to you or the students) by the CRS Registrar.
Note: Only one entry is needed for each group.
Duration: We suggest about 40 minutes to complete each rubric. Each rubric has 9 items. Calculate a suggested pacing by dividing the total allotted time by the number of items on the rubric. Be prepared to offer pacing guidance to students.
During Facilitation: Separate the students into groups of about 4-6 students. Identify and name the recorder for each group (if you choose to have one). Project the rubric on a screen or whiteboard. Read aloud each rubric item’s guiding questions and the text of the four levels of engagement. Give the groups time to discuss the item, then ask the students to come to agreement after the allotted time, then you or one student should record their answer, and continue to the next item. If students cannot come to agreement, ask them to make their best choice. If there is a question you cannot answer, be candid and say you will find out and share what you learn.
Completion: At the end of the allotted time, remind students to click SUBMIT, which will record their responses.
Suggested script for facilitation:
Today we are going to complete the Culturally Responsive Schooling rubric (title of rubric). Cultural responsiveness means including the different ideas, traditions, and practices of all of our cultures and backgrounds into our school experiences so we all feel welcomed and supported and can learn better.
The rubric results will provide feedback on school culture to our teachers and school leaders. Your responses are anonymous. The goal of this activity is to collect honest feedback to help improve our school.
Today we will answer 8-9 items, depending on the rubric. For every item, carefully read the guiding questions. Then, select a number on the 9-point scale that you feel best represents our school, where 0 is the minimum and 9 is the maximum. Your group should select a number that you together feel best represents your experiences.
[If you are delegating a recorder, identify them to the groups]. Only one person needs to input an answer for the group. _____ will be the recorder for your group.
I will read aloud each item and guiding questions. Then your small group will share their ideas and thoughts in response to the question. Finally, after a few minutes, the group should work together to select a number on the 9-point scale that your group agrees best represents our school or class.
[Name the recorder if you have delegated this role].
We have the next ____ minutes to complete the rubric. We will spend about ____ minutes per rubric item.
If you have any questions, please raise your hand, and I will help you.
When you are finished make sure to click SUBMIT to save the responses.
If needed, remind students of the norms for discussion (below).
Norms for Discussion
- Keep the conversation on topic. Refer back to the language in the rubric and the guiding questions as needed.
- Come to an agreement. About one minute before moving on to the next item, the group should reach agreement on a rating (1 to 9). Only one person should record the rating and comments (if needed) for the group.
- Navigate disagreement. Respectful disagreements can lead to more productive conversations. Encourage your group members to share their viewpoint and specific examples, but welcome what everyone says.
- Encourage quieter voices. Ensure every group member contributes to the discussion and all viewpoints are heard.