Digital Device Comparability of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Assessments

• In Event: 44.085 - Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: 44.085-10 - Large Scale Assessment SIG Poster Session

Abstract

PARCC’s goal is to deliver assessments using the widest variety of digital devices that support interchangeable scores. A comparability study was conducted to compare student performance on computers and tablets during PARCC’s operational administration in spring 2015. The study examined performance on eight assessments, spanning elementary through high school, and including mathematics and English language arts. Students testing on different devices were matched using demographic variables to create comparable samples for the study. Comparability was assessed for individual tasks and for total test scores. Overall, the study revealed consistent evidence of device comparability, except on some high school mathematics items, which appeared to be more difficult on tablets. Implications for task development and assessment policy are discussed.

Authors

• Jeffrey T. Steedle, ACT, Inc.

• Leslie Keng, National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc.

• Yuanyuan Zou McBride, Pearson

• Marc Johnson, Pearson