Constructed Response in the Classroom

Carol MuznyTaylor Mill Instructional Coach

January 25, 2012

I can name the three types of constructed response questions.

I can explain the differences between short answer and extended response types of constructed response.

I can list strategies that will prepare our students to write strong answers to either type of constructed response questions that they will see on K-PREP 2012.

Learner Targets

Pre-assess: True or False? Kentucky’s new assessment (K-PREP) will

include constructed response questions, no open response questions.

Rubrics are used to score some constructed response answers.

Sometimes constructed response questions offer students suggestions for answers.

Constructed response questions only assess broad standards.

Constructed response questions can be simple or complex.

FALSE

FALSEFALSE

TRUE

TRUE

"Constructed response or performance based items" means individual test items that require the student to create an answer rather than select a response and may include fill-in the blank, short answer, extended answer, open response, and writing on demand formats.

KRS 158.6453

What does the law say?

Fill in the BlankShort AnswerExtended Response

Three Types of Constructed Response

Will NOT be part of the 2012 K-PREPMore information will be coming in 2012-13 school

year.

Three Types of Constructed Response Fill in the blank

Typically require students to recall, rather than recognize information (Bloom’s Remembering and Understanding).

Sometime require students to apply knowledge (Bloom’s Applying).

They can usually be answered within five minutesIn math, may appear as a computational problem

to solve.Is scored with a scoring guide or a rubricWorth 2 points (twice as much as a multiple

choice)

Three Types of Constructed Response Short Answer

Three Types of Constructed Response Extended Response

Previously known as “open-response” Assesses a student’s ability to apply

concepts and/or processes in a new situation based on state standards learned.

Contains a focus statement, scenario, or lead-in.

Includes at least one content-related task using higher-level verbs.

Allows for at least two possible answers or different ways to show the work for the answer or solve the problem.

Three Types of Constructed Response Extended Response

Assesses higher-level use of content/concepts, but does NOT assess the student’s use of grammar or mechanics or writing style.

Answers may include bullets, lists, diagrams, etc. and whatever else is helpful in communicating knowledge. These are all acceptable responses to extended-response questions.

Can be completed in 15-20 minutes using one page.

Is scored using a teacher-designed scoring guide.

Is worth 4 points (4 times as much as a multiple choice)

Five Types of Extended Response Scaffolded

Five Types of Extended Response Single Dimension/Component

Five Types of Extended Response Two or more relatively

independent components

Five Types of Extended Response Response to provided

information

Five Types of Extended Response Student Choice:

Topics/options provided

1. Identify key details and examples in a text.2. Analyze context to determine which kind

of ratio is represented.3. Formulate an objective summary that

includes how the central idea emerges, is shaped, is refined by specific details

4. Recognize that a question requires an answer.

Would you write a short answer or extended response (or both) to assess?

5. Illustrate and explain calculations by using written equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.

6. Calculate unit conversions.7. Define irrational numbers.8. Compare and contrast historical portrayals

of a time, place, or character/person in an historical account to how each are portrayed or altered in a literary work.

Would you write a short answer or extended response (or both) to assess?

From school to school and district to district, the strategies have varied, but have had many common factors. Many of the strategies that work for responding to extended response questions also work for short-answer questions.

In Kentucky, teachers have been providing practice and strategies for students to answer extended response questions for many years.

On a post-it note, write a strategy that could be used to prepare our students to write strong answers to either type of constructed response questions. Do another post-it strategy if you have time.

Add your post-its to the Venn Diagram Chart.

Strategies for Short Answer

Strategies for Extended Response

Strategies for both