# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Cognitive Rigor & DOK Focus Area

The Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices (CRMs)

and translated for use in many countries around the world!

See an excerpt from Rigor by Design, Not Chance (2023) - THE ACTIONABLE ASSESSMENT CYCLE

​

Did you miss my September 2021 webinar, sponsored by Mentoring Minds? Watch now on demand: Looking for Rigor in All the 'Right' Places

Module 1 of my Local Assessment Toolkit provides an in-depth approach to introducing cognitive rigor and using the Hess CRMs to plan instruction and design assessments.

To Download the Hess CRMs, click onto each TOOL below

​

- Tool #1: Close Reading & Listening CRM

- Tool #2: Math & Science CRM

-Tool # 5A: Fine Arts CRM

SPANISH versions of Hess CRMs: Tools #1-5D

7 Common Misconceptions about Rigor & DOK

Some of the resources referencing Karin's work or have chapters by Karin:

​

Ainsworth, L. & Donovan, K. (2019). Rigorous Curriculum Design. (second edition). The International Center for Leadership in Education.

Ainsworth, L. (2015) Common Formative Assessment 2.0. Corwin.

Ainsworth, L. (2014). "Unwrapping" the Common Core (second edition).

​

Bailey, K. & Jakicic, C. (2016). Simplifying Common Assessment. Solution Tree Press.

​

Blackburn, B. (2022) Rigor in your Classroom: A Toolkit for Teachers - Second Edition. Routledge.

Brulles, D., Brown, K., & Winebrenner, S. (2016). Differentiated Lessons for Every Learner. Prufrock Press.

​

Center for Collaborative Education. (2012). Quality Performance Assessment: A Guide for Schools and Districts . Boston, MA: Author.

Colby, R. (2017). Competency-Based Education: A New Architecture for K-12 Schooling. Harvard Education Press.

Francis, E. (2021). Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method & Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning. Solution Tree.

Francis, E. (2016). Now That's a Good Question! ASCD.

​

Gibson, V., Cárdenas-Hagan, E., & Hess, K. (2019). Ready to Advance: A New Comprehensive Early Learning Curriculum. Benchmark Education Company.

Hogan, M. & Smart, S. (2020). Fundamentals of Literacy Instruction and Assessment, PreK-6, Second Edition. Paul Brookes Pub.

Love, S. & Strobaugh, R. (2019-2021). Critical Thinking in the Classroom: A Practitioner's Guide. Tyler, TX:Mentoring Minds.

Pijanowski, L. (2018). Architects of Deeper Learning Intentional Design for High Impact Instruction. The International Center for Leadership in Education.

Sousa, D. (2022). How the Brain Learns, 6th edition. Corwin

Stack, B. & Vander Els, J. (2017). Breaking with Tradition: The Shift to Competency-Based Learning in PLCs. Solution Tree.

Vander Els, J. & Stack, B. (2022). Unpacking the Competency-Based Classroom: Equitable, Individualized Learning in a PLC at Work. Solution Tree.

Walsh, J.A. & Sattes, B. D. (2017). Quality questioning: Research-based practices to engage every learner. (2nd Ed). A Joint Publication: McREL International & Corwin.

​

Winebrenner, S. & Kiss, L. (2014). Teaching Kids with Learning Difficulties in Today's Classrooms. Free Spirit Publishing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Cognitive Rigor and DoK | Karin Hess, PhD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Cognitive Rigor & DOK Focus Area The Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices (CRMs) and translated for use in many countries around the world! See an excerpt from Rigor by Design, Not Chance (2023) - THE ACTIONABLE ASSESSMENT CYCLE ​ Did you miss my September 2021 webinar, sponsored by Mentoring Minds?

# data[].attributes.headline
Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices (CRM) by Core & Special Subjects

# data[].attributes.subject
Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices (CRM) by Core & Special Subjects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
DOK & THE HESS COGNITIVE RIGOR MATRICES (CRM)

# data[].attributes.headline
Six Ways to Add Rigor by Deepening Thinking

# data[].attributes.subject
Six Ways to Add Rigor by Deepening Thinking

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A misguided view of rigor can make learning inaccessible to many students who can think deeply. Teachers need to know how to set the stage to uncover their thinking and help them deepen their understanding.

Raising expectations is NOT as simple as assigning difficult texts to read or using higher-order verbs (e.g., analyze, synthesize) to describe what students are going to do during a lesson.

How cognitive rigor works

Cognitive rigor is created by the interaction of three key factors: content complexity + cognitive engagement + the intended scope and depth of the learning activity.

1. Content Complexity: Complex concepts and strategies (e.g., concrete versus abstract ideas; literal versus figurative interpretations; practical applications versus theories) always require supports to increase access and engagement.

2. Cognitive Engagement: Engagement with the content (sometimes defined using Depth-of-Knowledge/DOK levels) describes how deeply we want students to apply their understanding to complete a task - from surface-level recall to conceptual understanding, problem solving, or in-depth extended thinking.

We know from brain research that emotional engagement precedes deeper cognitive engagement. When students first make personal connections to new content - "what do I already know about this topic?" or "how is this problem relevant to me/my world?" - doors to complex mental processing and problem-solving begin to open.

3. Scope and Depth: The scope of the planned learning or assessment activity influences the overall cognitive rigor, especially when multiple sources must be analyzed and interpreted or a complex product of learning is to be developed (e.g., research project, podcast, multimedia presentation).

Increasing rigor must go hand in hand with supports that help every student access the meaning of the content (a new strategy, concept, or theory) before they are asked to explain it, apply it, or analyze it.

Providing background knowledge related to a topic prior to introducing a complex text or breaking down a complex strategy into several steps are examples of strategically scaffolding complex content. Even adult learners benefit from scaffolding when tackling complex content!

6 Ways We Can Uncover Rigorous Thinking and Help Students Deepen Understanding

Teachers can elicit evidence of cognitive rigor by asking students to brainstorm possible solutions instead of asking for one correct solution; by using feedback to refine their performance, rather than telling students what to correct; or by having them practice using metacognitive skills while monitoring their own learning processes.

I've identified six ways to move students' thinking to deeper levels of understanding and created a "student-friendly" infographic of the six strategies. This can be printed as a poster or cut apart and used as task cards as metacognitive prompts when students are engaging in collaborative discourse or working through a complex challenge.

Some teachers print and use the cards to create cubes that can be rolled like dice to randomly select a prompt for small group discussions or reflective journaling.
Strategy Tips
(click a graphic to enlarge - resource links offer more info)
We create opportunities for cognitive engagement and deeper thinking when asking students to ...

Resource: One pagers, ELA, math/science, social studies

Conclusion

When we know what rigorous thinking can look and sound like, we can help students to use many of these strategies in almost any lesson.
Also see Karin's popular MiddleWeb article: Five Metacognitive Tools to Reveal Hidden Learning Karin Hess, author of the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices and numerous articles and books, is a former classroom teacher and school administrator. She is recognized internationally as a leader in applying cognitive rigor, depth of knowledge (DOK), and learning progressions to the development of state and school-based curriculum and assessment systems. She can be contacted through her website www.karin-hess.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Six Ways Teachers Can Support Rigor by Deepening Thinking

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dr. Karin Hess shares six strategies to help teachers scaffold and support deeper thinking and genuine "rigor" in most any lesson. The key is setting the stage.

# data[].attributes.headline
Putting DOK into Practice with Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix

# data[].attributes.subject
Putting DOK into Practice with Hess' Cognitive Rigor Matrix

# data[].attributes.headline
IRIS Center - Schema Instruction in Math

# data[].attributes.subject
IRIS Center - Schema Instruction in Math

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The world's largest evidence base on what works best in schools to accelerate student learning

Professor John Hattie of the University of Melbourne, Australia, has long researched performance indicators and evaluation in education. His research, Visible Learning, is the culmination of more than 25 years of examining and synthesizing more than 2,100 meta-analyses comprising more than 132,000 studies involving 300 million students around the world.

Hattie wanted to understand which variables were the most important. Although "almost everything we do improves learning," why not prioritize the ones that will have the greatest effect?

Hattie set about calculating a score or "effect size" for each, according to its bearing on student learning and taking into account such aspects as its cost to implement. The average effect size was 0.4, a marker that represented a year's growth per year of schooling for a student. Anything above 0.4 would have a greater positive effect on student learning.

Visible Learning+ professional learning enables schools and districts around the world to effectively implement the core findings of the Visible Learning research.

Research at your fingertips

The power of the Visible Learning research lies in helping educators understand, measure, and evaluate the impact they can have on student growth and achievement.

Visible Learning Meta offers unparalleled access to the most up-to-date Visible Learning research, interpretations, and analyses - making it possible to understand the research and adapt it to your particular context. Powered by John Hattie's groundbreaking Visible Learning research, Meta aims to help close the gap between the research of what works best for student achievement.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The world's largest evidence base on what works best in schools to accelerate student learning

# data[].attributes.headline
CMAS Practice Resources (Updated for 2023-2024)

# data[].attributes.subject
CMAS Practice Resources (Updated for 2023-2024)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Portal for all of the resources required by districts to administer the Colorado Assessment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Coherence Map shows the connections between Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Provide relevant texts that consider complexity, academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Released Items - New Meridian Resource Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The catalog below includes scoring rubrics and guides to the scoring, as well as released item sets, answer keys, and sample student responses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display

Skip to Content

To enhance your experience on our site, SAGE stores cookies on your computer. By continuing you consent to receive cookies. Learn More.

Back to top

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display Skip to Content To enhance your experience on our site, SAGE stores cookies on your computer. By continuing you consent to receive cookies. Learn More. Back to top

# data[].attributes.headline
Deeper Learning Framework - Hewlett Foundation (2013)

# data[].attributes.subject
Deeper Learning Framework - Hewlett Foundation (2013)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Need something great for tomorrow? You’re in the right place. These popular free resources are ready and waiting for you to put them into action. Choose your favorites and I’ll deliver them right to your inbox.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
@dianasoriat and @sam_hh to help users begin to feel comfortable with sketchnoting.
Right-click and download the ilinked file or click on it and drag it to your desktop or tap on it to save it to the Camera Roll on your tablet.
​Use it as a background in your favorite drawing program or screencasting program or print it off to use the analog version!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sketchnoting, in its purest form, is creating a personal visual story as one is listening to a speaker or reading a text. I also believe the interactive notebook, which includes the process of taking...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These are free resources for educators. Click on the image and it will open a new window in your browser. Writing for Understanding Study Guide This free, chapter-based Writing for Understanding Study Guide is useful for groups of teachers or administrators