Date of Award

Summer 5-15-2020

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Christopher Tienken, Ed.D.

Committee Member

Samuel Fancera, Ed.D.

Committee Member

Lavetta Ross, Ed.D.

Keywords

higher-order thinking, critical thinking, complex thinking, 21st century skills, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC), Common Core Standards

Abstract

Abstract

This mixed methods study aimed to categorize and analyze the frequencies and percentages of complex thinking in the PARCC practices assessments grades 3 and 4. The Hess’ Cognitive Rigor Matrix was employed for the first part of the study to code each of the PARCC assessment questions in Language Arts and Mathematics Grades 3 and 4 based on pre-existing codes. Deductive category application was utilized to connect the language from Hess’ Cognitive Rigor Matrix to the language of the questions in the tests. To ensure reliability we utilized the double-rater read behind method as in other similar studies. In the second part of the study, a quantitative methods approach was implemented to determine the frequencies. Moreover, descriptive statistics was then utilized to describe the differences and similarities of complex thinking that exist in the language of the PARCC practice assessment.

In response to the research questions, the data analyzed revealed the following trends from the Language Arts and Mathematics PARCC Practice Tests in grades 3 and 4:

  1. The questions in the Language Arts PARCC tests in Grades 3-4 were rated at an overall higher percentage for lower level questions.
  2. The questions in the Mathematics PARCC tests in Grades 3-4 were rated at an overall higher percentage for lower level questions.
  3. No questions were placed at the most cognitive complex level.

This study suggests that more opportunities for developing complex thinking, which is essential to 21st century learning, is implemented through standardized assessments.

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