What types of performance level labels and descriptors are better suited for equity measurement tools? Contrasting recommendations

The Equity Audit was designed to measure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within workplaces. The tool has three versions and is currently undergoing the standard setting process to gather validity evidence for its use within schools and organizations. This study reports on the recommendations from two panels of experts (one for the school version, the other for the Nonprofits/For-profit versions) regarding language use for performance level descriptors and labels. Our findings show that the panels were similar in their recommendations for performance level labels but differed in recommendations for the language of descriptors given workspace type. We discuss these findings in relation to the ethical and critical lens evaluators may adopt in considering the development of tools for DEI work.