Implications for Diversity in Human Characteristics for Authentic Assessment

In this paper delivered at the 1991 AERA annual meeting, Professor Gordon discusses key issues of validity and fairness as they relate to members of diverse cultural groups. For example, can we believe that all cultural groups will be fairly assessed when the means of instruction and curriculum are not the same for all students? Will changing from standardized tests to performance assessments automatically improve fairness in testing? In addition to discussing important issues of equity as they relate to authentic assessments, Professor Gordon offers nine recommendations important to the development of any new assessment system.