Evidence-Based Assessment in Philosophy Education: Take the PLATO Research Committee Survey
Michael Vazquez is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Director of Outreach at the Parr Center for Ethics, member of PLATO’s Academic Advisory Board, and chair of PLATO’s Research Committee.
Are you involved in philosophy education? Whether you’re a schoolteacher guiding curious young minds; a university-based scholar facilitating philosophy discussions in schools, prisons, or senior centers; or a philosophy educator working in any public or co-curricular setting–we want to hear from you!
Our goal is to get a clearer picture of (1) how many philosophy educators are already using evidence-based assessments, (2) what method and type of assessment they are using, and (3) what outcomes they are tracking. We also hope to hear from you if you are interested in using an assessment tool but don’t know where to begin and need resources and support.
Why is this important? Philosophy isn’t just about thinking clearly and critically—it’s also about nurturing dispositions like humility, curiosity, and moral sensitivity. But how do we know if our programs are having the impact for which they were designed? That’s where assessment comes in. Although assessments are commonly used within the public philosophy community, we don’t yet have a complete picture of the state of the field. For example, many educators are engaged in programs like Ethics Bowl at the middle school, high school, and collegiate level, challenging students to reason ethically and collaboratively about real-world cases. Ethics centers on college campuses often offer co curricular programming that deepens student engagement with ethical issues outside the classroom, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement projects.
These diverse approaches demonstrate the range of settings where philosophy education is making an impact, from fostering early ethical development to cultivating civic responsibility and intellectual virtue in college and beyond. We want to know what you all are already doing to measure that impact!
That’s why PLATO’s Research Committee has designed a brief, straightforward, and we hope engaging survey. By participating, you will help us learn from each other, identify best practices, and raise awareness about the importance of assessment in our ongoing efforts to advocate for philosophy learning opportunities across the life span.
Let’s work together to ensure that philosophy education continues to thrive and make a difference in the lives of students of all ages and places. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Click here to take the survey.
Thank you,
PLATO Research Committee
