An Investigation of Scoring Methods for Mathematics Performance-Based Assessments

Three mathematics scoring methods are being used or explored in large-scale assessment programs: item-by-item scoring, holistic scoring, and "trait" scoring. This study investigated all 3 methods of scoring on 3 mathematics performance-based assessments. Mathematics assessment tasks were selected from a pool of pilot tasks because they could be scored using all 3 methods. Results of the study suggest that holistic scoring and item-by-item scoring methods provide similar information; however, trait score for conceptual understanding and mathematics communication tapped into different aspects of student performance. Implications for the validity of scoring methods now in use for performance-based mathematics assessments are discussed.