Constructing a described achievement scale for the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study

This paper presents a draft described civic and citizenship cognitive achievement scale based on the International Civics and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) field trial cognitive test items and student achievement data. The paper briefly outlines the process of generating the described scale before presenting and examining the substance of the scale. The scale is based on data from the 80 test items used in the ICCS field trial that have been included in the ICCS main survey test instrument. The described scale comprises four discrete described achievement levels that are further articulated by examples of achievement. Key aspects of the cognitive differences between the levels are discussed and some questions raised about the way in which the achievement of students below Level 1 will be dealt with in the main survey.