Siraj Razvi
Research Mentor(s): Maria Hamdani
Mentor Department: Center for Measurement Justice
Authors: Siraj Rizvi
Session: Session 5 (2:00pm – 2:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 8
Abstract
K-12 assessments in the United States have historically centered the experiences of white students, often marginalizing the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of minoritized groups. This lack of cultural responsiveness contributes to disengagement and inequitable learning outcomes. In collaboration with the Center for Measurement Justice (CMJ), Dr. Jennifer Randall, and Maria Hamdani, this project aimed to develop culturally responsive math assessment items that align with Geneva Gay’s principles of culturally responsive teaching, adhere to math practice standards, and authentically represent students’ lived experiences. Focusing on healthcare-related math problems, I drew from coursework in Public Health 200 and The Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, along with additional research on race, healthcare disparities, and social justice. Using ChatGPT, I generated initial math problems but manually reintroduced omitted cultural elements to ensure authenticity. Items were reviewed by Maria Hamdani and Dr. Jennifer Randall, with further feedback from minoritized communities. The final assessment items included three math problems addressing racial and health disparities: air pollution exposure disparities, Black adults’ health outcomes, and underfunding of the Indian Health Service (IHS). These items assess mathematical reasoning while increasing awareness of social and public health issues. By embedding culturally relevant contexts into math assessments, this project fosters greater engagement, representation, and equity in education. Future work should expand culturally responsive assessments and collaborate with educators, researchers, and community stakeholders to promote widespread implementation in K-12 education.
