Assessment in Action: Toward a More Complete and Justice-Oriented Understanding of the Social Consequences of Educational Measures

The studies in this special issue examine the social consequences of educational measures. In this commentary, I reflect on past and contemporary conceptualizations of the consequences of measurement and discuss advancing a more justice-oriented approach. To this end, it is imperative that we engage a critical lens in order to interrogate and act upon structural issues as they manifest in testing, assessment, and measurement. Importantly, we must attend to both the intended and unintended consequences of the use and interpretation of educational measures in order to advance equity and social justice. Impact and Implications The social consequences of educational measures-that is, their impacts on individuals, communities, and policies-can be more fully understood by engaging an equity lens in testing, assessment, and measurement efforts. This approach has important implications in advancing social justice.