The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Item and Task Cognitive Complexity Code Frameworks: Development, Application, and Validation Evidence

• In Event: Developing and Establishing Validity Evidence: In Theory and Practice

Abstract

Test developers use Depth of Knowledge and Bloom’s taxonomy to designate item cognitive complexity, which obscures information about different sources of complexity. PARCC cognitive complexity frameworks for ELA/literacy and mathematics items include content area, cognitive processing, linguistic and other item processing demands. In this paper, we describe the PARCC item cognitive complexity framework, a coding process and results from coding the PARCC items and tasks, and results from applications of the frameworks to two other state assessment programs. We also describe analysis plans related to cognitive complexity and items features for spring 2014 PARCC field tests.

Authors

• Steve Ferrara, Pearson School

• Enis Dogan, PARCC

• Nancy Glazer, ETS

• Jeff Haberstroh, Educational Testing Service

• Bonnie Hain, Achieve, Inc.

• Kristen L. Huff, Regents Research Fund

• Jay Larkin, Pearson

• Paul D. Nichols, ACT, Inc.

• Carrie Piper, Achieve, Inc.