Educational Psychology

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of the assessment if the teachers’ purposes include higher level thinking. A better approach is to use a scoring rubric
that describes the quality of the answer or performance at each level.

Scoring rubrics

Scoring rubrics can be holistic or analytical. In holistic scoring rubrics, general descriptions of performance are
made and a single overall score is obtained. An example from grade 2 language arts in Los Angeles Unified School
District classifies responses into four levels: not proficient, partially proficient, proficient and advanced is on Table
39.

Table 39: Example of holistic scoring rubric: English language arts grade 2

Assignment. Write about an interesting, fun, or exciting story you have read in class this year. Some of the

things you could write about are:

 What happened in the story (the plot or events)

 Where the events took place (the setting)

 People, animals, or things in the story ( the characters)

In your writing make sure you use facts and details from the story to describe everything clearly.

After you write about the story, explain what makes the story interesting, fun or exciting.

Scoring rubric

Advanced

Score 4

The response demonstrates well-developed reading comprehension skills.

Major story elements (plot, setting, or characters) are clearly and accurately described.

Statements about the plot, setting, or characters are arranged in a manner that makes

sense.

Ideas or judgments (why the story is interesting, fun, or exciting) are clearly supported

or explained with facts and details from the story.

Proficient

Score 3

The response demonstrates solid reading comprehension skills.

Most statements about the plot, setting, or characters are clearly described.

Most statements about the plot, setting, or characters are arranged in a manner that

makes sense.

Ideas or judgments are supported with facts and details from the story.

Partially

Proficient

The response demonstrates some reading comprehension skills

Educational Psychology 258 A Global Text