Unintended consequences - Risk for bias in competency-based assessment.

As nursing education transitions to competency-based education, careful attention to the assessment methodology must be considered. As nursing education contends with structural implicit bias and supports social justice, any transition to the education delivery model must consider the underserved and marginalized. Multilingual and marginalized students have long had inequitable experiences when taking standardized assessments influenced by the perspectives and values of the dominant culture.

Taking the Temperature of Distance Learners: Does University Climate Influence Perceptions of Belonging in a Distance Education Environment?

Aim: This study aimed to gain an understanding of how students' perceptions of belonging are impacted by their observations of the cultural/racial climate and diversity and inclusion in a distance education environment.

Background: Studies have evaluated students' perceptions of belonging and racial climate in a physical environment; there is a gap in understanding those perceptions within a distance education environment.

Method: In 2019, an online survey was administered to distance learning students from four academic programs at a national university that provides education services in all 50 states.