Grading Rubric

Performance will be assessed according to Pennsylvania's General Performance Level

Descriptors:

Advanced..8 points
Proficient. 7 points
Basic 6 points
Below Basic 5 points
Non-Scorable. 0 points

Advanced
The Advanced Level reflects superior academic performance. Advanced work indicates
an in-depth understanding and exemplary display of the skills included in the
Pennsylvania Academic Content Standards.

Proficient
The Proficient Level reflects satisfactory academic performance. Proficient work
indicates a solid understanding and adequate display of the skills included in the
Pennsylvania Academic Content Standards.

Basic
The Basic Level reflects marginal academic performance. Basic work indicates a partial
understanding and limited display of the skills included in the Pennsylvania Academic
Content Standards. This work is approaching satisfactory performance, but has not
been reached. There is a need for additional instructional opportunities and/or increased
student academic commitment to achieve the Proficient Level.

Below Basic
The Below Basic Level reflects inadequate academic performance. Below Basic work
indicates little understanding and minimal display of the skills included in the
Pennsylvania Academic Content Standards. This work is approaching satisfactory
performance, but has not been reached. There is a major need for additional
instructional opportunities and/or increased student academic commitment to achieve
the Proficient Level.
 Assessment may be based on all or part of the following:

Writing

Advanced
Sharp, distinct controlling point made about a single topic with evident awareness of
task.
Substantial, specific, and/or illustrative content demonstrating strong development and
sophisticated ideas.
Sophisticated arrangement of content with evident and/or subtle transitions.

Proficient
Apparent point made about a single topic with sufficient awareness of task.
Sufficiently developed content with adequate elaboration or explanation.
Functional arrangement of content that sustains a logical order with some evidence of
transitions.

Basic
No apparent point but evidence of a specific topic.
Limited content with inadequate elaboration or explanation.
Confused or inconsistent arrangement of content with or without attempts at transition.

Below Basic
Minimal evidence of a topic.
Superficial and/or minimal content.
Minimal control of content arrangement.

Non-Scorable
Is readable but did not respond to prompt.
Is illegible: i.e., words are indecipherable; no sense can be made of the response.
Is incoherent: i.e., words are legible but syntax is so garbled that response makes no
sense.
Is insufficient: i.e., does not include enough to assess domains adequately.
Is a blank paper.

Proficient Level (or Higher) is to be viewed as the Performance Standard for All Students.

Example of essay assignment:

NAME / PERIOD
ASSIGNMENT TITLE

INTRODUCTION
DEVELOPMENT
CONCLUSION

NOTE:
Assume the reader knows nothing about the topic you are writing about.
When reading an article, use information from the reading to confirm your essay.