Global History and Geography

United States History and Government

Thematic Essays

Appendix E—2007

Information from the Generic Rubric Ordered by Scoring Criteria, not by Score 

Bullet 1 (the extent to which students address the task) 

Score

 

5

Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth

4

Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly

3

Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops most aspects of the task in some depth

2

Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops some aspects of the task in some depth

1

Minimally develops some aspects of the task

 

Bullet 2 (the extent to which students utilize higher thinking skills in their response)

Score

 

5

Is more analytical than descriptive (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)

4

Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates information)

3

Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze, and/or evaluate information)

2

Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis

1

Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis

Bullet 3 (the extent to which students support their ideas with facts, examples, and details)

Score

 

5

Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details

4

Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details

3

Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor inaccuracies

2

Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies

1

Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies

Bullet 4 (the extent to which students organize and develop a social studies essay) 

Score

 

5

Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

4

Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme

3

Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme

2

Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion

1

May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may lack an introduction and/or a conclusion