A Framework to Measure Inclusion

Abstract

Inclusive learning environments create a well-rounded education that initiates and amplifies the diverse experiences of all students. In higher education, this requires that all learning spaces, from the point of onboarding and classrooms through social clubs and completion, are designed in ways that promote the active participation of learners, and that students feel a sense of purpose, belonging, and safety to engage fully in the academic process. Institutions working to integrate and assess inclusive teaching and learning need to carefully consider their institutional mission and understand the history and potential challenges of developing systemic, structural inclusion within their organization. Successfully measuring inclusion requires clear operational definitions and comprehensive evaluation that includes both quantitative and qualitative assessment. This chapter reviews the importance of creating an inclusive environment in higher education, the barriers that arise, and the need for reliable and valid means of measuring its effectiveness.