Washington State Library Digital Skills Assessment

Washington State Library began preparatory work for the Request for Proposals in Summer of 2022.  WSL contracted with 2 Washington Librarians, Madeline Fox and Conrad Schaffer Vignati to conduct a review of inclusive digital literacy standards, and effective assessment practices to identify

• benchmark digital literacy studies;
• digital literacy frameworks that address not only readiness to work or study, but also ability to find services, connect with community and otherwise thrive;
• proven methods for reaching populations who have historically been underrepresented (e.g., people who speak English as a second language, elders); and
• otherwise effective approaches to representative, fair and inclusive assessment.

The literature review pointed to a small-scale, qualitative approach; specifically venue-based (time-space sampling) and network-based (respondent-driven sampling).  Researchers suggested taking a strengths-based approach, allowing respondents to define their own goals, and share their current abilities and trusted resources.