Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) - Summative Item Specifications - Mathematics Grade 8

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jacob

Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Summative item specifications guide the creation and review of summative assessment items aligned to the Alabama Course of Study Standards for Grade 8 Mathematics. The document clarifies the purpose of the specifications and outlines essential components such as evidence statements, content limits and constraints, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge cognitive levels, calculator usage, allowable context, item types, and sample item-stem information. An appendix provides eight sample test items with alignment, depth of knowledge, and answer keys for educator use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages55

Reading Time2 h 19 min

AccessFree to download

Summative Item Specifications Overview

Purpose and Alignment

Key Information Included in Item Specifications

Definitions for ACAP

Course of Study Standards

Alabama Content Areas

Evidence Statements and Assessment Constraints

Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

Item Types and Context Rules

Sample Test Items (Appendix)

Sample item descriptions and educator use

Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program – Summative Item Specifications Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Summative Item Specifications Mathematics Grade 8 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program – Summative Item Specifications Alabama Item Specifications Grade 8 Mathematics Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Summative The Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Summative item specifications are based on the development of summative assessments that measure the Alabama Course of Study Standards. The item specifications define the purpose of the ACAP Summative and provide important information regarding the content to be measured. The item specifications also serve as a road map to guide Alabama educators in the development and subsequent review of items that best measure the Course of Study Standards for a given grade and subject area. Each item specification is aligned to the given Alabama content area, cluster, and standard and includes the following key information: • Evidence statements • Content limits/constraints • Recommended Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) or cognitive levels • Calculator usage • Item types for measuring a given standard • Information regarding whether or not context is allowable • Sample item stem information The appendix to this document includes eight sample test items, along with information about the item, including item type, page reference, alignment, depth of knowledge, and answer key. These sample items are provided to be an additional resource for educators to help guide instruction and assessment-building in the classroom. Teachers can use the sample items as models when leading classroom discussion as well as creating items for classroom tests or quizzes. In each sample item, the level of rigor needed in the item in order to align with the content standard is evident. Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program – Summative Item Specifications Definitions Course of Study Standards: The Course of Study Standards are a set of content curriculum statements that define what students should know and be able to do at a given grade level. The goal is to prepare students for future opportunities and options in the workplace and for everyday life. Through the implementation of the Alabama Course of Study for Mathematics, students will be well equipped for the workforce upon graduation or ready to pursue higher levels of education in Alabama’s colleges and universities. Alabama Content Areas: Alabama content areas are large groups of related clusters and content standards. Because mathematics is a connected subject, standards from different Alabama content areas may sometimes be closely related. Clusters: Clusters are groups of related content standards. Because mathematics is a connected subject, standards from different clusters may sometimes be closely related. Standards: Standards define what students should understand (know) and be able todo at the conclusion of a course or grade. The standard text in the item specification is preceded by a standard identifier (e.g. , 4.OA. 1) to indicate the student grade level as fourth (4), the Alabama content area as Operations and Algebraic Thinking (OA), and the standard number as one (1) . Evidence Statements: Evidence statements are closely aligned to the standard and do not deviate from the requirements of the standard. Standards that are substantial in content do provide for a better opportunity to “unpack the standard,” which is the case for many of the Alabama Course of Study Standards. The evidence statements serve that purpose. Assessment Limits/Content Constraints: Assessment limits and/or content constraints define the range of content knowledge and the degree of difficulty allowable when items are written to measure a given standard. Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program – Summative Item Specifications Depth of Knowledge (DOK): Depth of knowledge invo

FAQs

What is the purpose of the ACAP Summative item specifications for Grade 8 Mathematics?

They define the purpose of the ACAP Summative assessment and provide key information about what is measured and how items should be developed and reviewed to align with the Alabama Course of Study Standards.

Which key components are included in each item specification?

Each specification includes evidence statements, assessment limits/content constraints, recommended Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels, calculator usage, item types, whether context is allowable or required, and sample item-stem information.

How does the document define Depth of Knowledge (DOK) for item development?

Depth of Knowledge describes the cognitive complexity required for an item. The document uses Webb’s DOK four-level model and focuses ACAP Summative items on three cognitive levels: Level 1 recall, Level 2 application of a skill/concept, and Level 3 strategic thinking.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jacob