The document discusses Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) framework, which is used to align academic standards and assessments based on cognitive complexity. The DOK has four levels ranging from simple recall to extended strategic thinking. Level 1 involves recall tasks, Level 2 focuses on skills and concepts, Level 3 requires strategic thinking, and Level 4 deals with complex reasoning. The DOK level is determined by the intended learning outcome rather than the difficulty of tasks or verbs used. Teachers must ensure instruction matches the DOK level of standards to promote student achievement.