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Request: OSPI Committee Recommendations by Wednesday May 23

From: Anton Jackson 
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 8:30 AM
Subject: Request: Committee Recommendations by Wednesday May 23

Good Monday Morning,

The Science Assessment team from the Assessment Development Department here at OSPI is currently working to expand our participant list for Bias and Sensitivity committees, and we need your help! We hope that your unique access to a range of important communities will help increase participation of interested partners and stakeholders.

We would very much appreciate if you could send the name and contact email (preferred) or phone number for anyone you feel could help us in this important work. This could include you, other OSPI staff, and partners/advocates from the field.

We are seeking recommendations for members for our Bias and Sensitivity review committee. During the Bias and Sensitivity review, committee members evaluate science test questions to ensure they are free from content that might offend or unfairly penalize students because of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic condition. The science assessment team uses feedback from the Bias and Sensitivity review committee to determine changes that should be made to test questions prior to field testing.

We are seeking committee members who represent the various communities of Washington's diverse population. We ask that participants in the Bias and Sensitivity reviews not be educators so as to maintain a focus on bias and sensitivity issues. Science educators thoroughly reviews all test questions in separate meetings for alignment and content appropriateness.

This year, the Bias and Sensitivity committee will meet on June 19–20. The exact location of the meeting is still in the works.

It's important we note that Bias and Sensitivity committee members do not receive a stipend or pay for the 2-day meeting; however, hotel and travel expenses are covered or reimbursed per OFM guideline.

We hope to receive responses from you by Wednesday, May 23. Please email me directly. Thank you for your consideration.

Anton Jackson
Director of Assessment Development
Assessment and Student Information
office: 360-725-6291 | cell: 360-556-1769

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