Technology may play a critical role in impacting student engagement, specifically within an assessment context. Using a mixed methods approach, I examined the relationship between varying degrees of technology-enhancements applied in a mathematics performance task on the outcome of student cognitive engagement. Using a counterbalanced quasi-experimental design, I evaluated the impact of three performance task platforms on student self-reported cognitive engagement in from a sample of students in grades 6-8 in Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina (N = 450). The three performance task platforms (a) included technology-enhanced (technology-based including animation and interactivity), (b) technology-enabled (computer-based without including animation and interactivity), (c) and paper-and-pencil. The measure used for cognitive engagement (CE-S-DSP & SOS) was a hybrid of previously used self-reporting tools and showed preferable reliability for the overall score of cognitive engagement. The data were not able to be explored using a 5-factor confirmatory factory analysis, due to model fit limitations. Results from the between subjects analysis of variance and did not suggest a relationship between performance task platform (modality type) and student cognitive engagement. Qualitative interview data indicated that students preferred using technology to take tests and overall showed favorability for the technology-enhanced performance task, specifically the interactivity and animations to help visualize and work through the problem. Yet, despite the positive links to technology-enhancements, there were features of paper-and-pencil tasks that students appreciated such as the ability to navigate between the items and the ability to take notes. Results indicated that just putting tests on computers may not be enough and technological affordance should be purposefully implemented. Findings from this study can help inform future use of platform type, technological enhancements employed, and strategies for technology use within an assessment context. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]