For adults to help students who can 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 can 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. Identify students in each group who will (1) keep the group on track with time (timekeeper); (2) record the group ratings for each item and add comments, if needed (recorder).
Materials: At least one student in each group will need access to a device with the internet. To access the rubric(s), you or the students 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 student 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. Specify the timekeeper and recorder for each group. Give the groups time to read the guiding questions, discuss the item, and record their rating. 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, read the guiding questions and discuss the different response levels. Then, select a number on the 9-point scale that you feel best represents our classroom or 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.
Each group has a timekeeper, to keep you on pace, and a recorder, who will input an rating for the group, and add any comments you wish to include. [name them].
We have ____ minutes to complete the rubric. Take your time, but try to spend about ____ minutes per rubric item. I will remind you of the time remaining as we go.
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.