Assessing Instructor Cultural Competence in the Classroom: An Instrument and a Development Process

Abstract

The ability to manage diversity effectively is important not only in organizations but also in the classroom. This article describes an instrument for assessing instructor cultural competence and the process used to develop the instrument. Using the critical incident technique, the authors developed a situational questionnaire that assesses behavioral intentions in response to classroom diversity incidents. Responses are scored using the Bennett model of cultural competence. The authors discuss ways in which the instrument can be adapted by instructors interested in assessing and improving their own cultural competence.