PARCC ELA Performance-Based Assessment (PBA)
Overview
The PARCC ELA PBA consists of three performance tasks: Narrative Task (NT), Literary Analysis Task
(LAT), and Research Simulation Task (RST). Each task requires students to answer reading
comprehension and vocabulary questions (items), and respond to a writing prompt based on the text(s).
The number of texts in each task varies slightly depending on the grade and the task type.
Text Types
For PARCC assessments, “text” includes both printed text and multi-media content (e.g., video, audio).
The guidelines for text length vary by grade level, but across the grades there are short texts and
extended texts. The table below illustrates the number and length of texts for each task type.
Reading Comprehension Item Types
The reading comprehension and vocabulary items are machine scored. There are two types of items:
Evidence-Based Selected Response (EBSR) items and Technology-Enhanced Constructed Response
(TECR) items (online only). EBSR items are multiple-choice, while TECR items allow students to respond
using various technology tools (e.g., drag and drop, highlight text).
Writing Prompt
Each task has a writing prompt called Prose-Constructed Response (PCR). Students respond to the PCR
using evidence from the text(s). The LAT and the RST are scored for written expression, standard English
conventions, and comprehension of the text(s). The NT is scored for written expression and standard
English conventions.
PARCC ELA Grade 3 PBA
Task
# of Texts
LAT
1 extended literary, 1 short literary
RST
1 extended informational, 1 short informational
NT
1 short literary
# of EBSR and TECR Items
6
6
5
# of PCRs
1
1
1
PARCC ELA Grades 4–11 PBA
Task
# of Texts
LAT
1 extended literary, 1 short literary
RST
1 extended informational, 2 short informational
NT
1 short literary
# of EBSR and TECR Items
6
9
5
# of PCRs
1
1
1
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PARCC ELA End-of-Year (EOY) Assessment
Overview
The PARCC ELA EOY consists of literary and informational texts with associated reading comprehension
and vocabulary items. There are no writing prompts on the EOY. Item types include Evidence-Based
Selected Response (EBSR) and Technology-Enhanced Constructed Response (TECR) items, which are
machine scored. The number of texts and the associated items (text sets) varies by grade level.
Grades 3–5 ELA EOY
Grades 3–5 ELA EOY assessments are composed of a short text and extended text—one literary and one
informational.
Sample PARCC ELA Grades 3–5 EOY
Text Sets
1 short literary
1 extended informational
# of EBSR and TECR Items
5
7
Paired Texts Set (Grades 6–11)
Grades 6–11 ELA EOY includes a paired text set, consisting of two short texts that may be combinations
of literary texts or informational texts. For example, a paired set may have a short literary text paired
with a short informational text, two literary texts paired, or two informational texts paired.
Sample PARCC ELA Grades 6–11 EOY
Text Sets
# of EBSR and TECR Items
1 short literary
5
1 paired text set
6
1 short informational
5
1 extended informational
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Matrix Section
All PARCC EOY assessments include a matrix section consisting of text(s) and items which are used for
equating and sampling. Matrix items do not count toward student scores.
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Links to additional information on PARCC Assessments
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PARCC website: http://www.parcconline.org
Sample items and tests: http://parcc.pearson.com/sample-items/
Sample items with explanation (click on grade level on left): http://www.parcconline.org/samples/ELA
Sample Grade 3 rubric: http://www.parcconline.org/samples/english-language-artsliteracy/grade-3generic-rubrics
Sample Grade 4/Grade 5 rubric: http://www.parcconline.org/samples/english-languageartsliteracy/grades-4-5-generic-rubrics
Sample Grades 6–11 rubric: http://www.parcconline.org/samples/english-language-
artsliteracy/grades-6-11-generic-rubrics
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Sample Writing form examples (known as PCR—Prose Constructed Response):
http://www.parcconline.org/samples/english-language-artsliteracy/writing-forms
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