Assessment

Criterion

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Knowledge and Understanding

Accuracy of Ideas and Content

main idea is generally unclear

25% of required content is present

main idea is recognizable with some inaccuracy in content

50% of required content is present

main idea is reasonably accurate with few mistakes

Greater than 75% of all required content in present

main idea is very accurate

All required points of content are present with good detail

Knowledge of facts and terms

demonstrates limited understanding of concepts

demonstrates some understanding of concepts, principles , and theories

demonstrates considerable understanding of concepts, principles, and theories

demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of concepts, principles, and theories

Inquiry

Creative Thinking Skills

uses creative thinking skills with limited effectiveness

work is strictly taken from sources

uses creative thinking skills with moderate effectiveness

uses creative thinking skills with considerable effectiveness

uses creative thinking skills with thorough and insightful effectiveness

Resource Selection

Poor choice of resource material; limited support of writing

1-2 references

some resource material is well chosen and supports writing

2-3 different sources

Good choice of resource material to support writing

3-4  different sources

excellent choice of resource material to support writing

More than five sources of different types

Source of Resource

chooses material from only one type of source

appears to have some understanding of the use of the internet

chooses material from different types of sources including appropriate use of the internet

chooses material from well-utilized print, internet, and CD sources. 

Reference Support

there are few references to supporting material in the body of the work

there are some references to supporting material in the body of the work

-the end notes are moderately well formatted

Most of the information in the body of the work is properly referenced

-the end notes are consistently and correctly formatted

All material is properly referenced and annotated

Communication

Clarity of Ideas and Content

main idea is generally unclear

main idea is recognizable

main idea is reasonably clear

main idea is completely clear

Integration of Source Material

Material from the sources is poorly blended, pieces may be directly copied

Material from sources tends not to be well blended; many terms not explained

Material from sources is fairly well blended; some terms explained in own words

Material from sources is well blended Difficult terms are explained in own words

Use of Tables, and Graphics

(if appropriate)

No visual supporting material that is appropriate to topic

Material is of acceptable quality, is generally correctly presented, and supports the topic

Material is of good  quality, is generally correctly presented, and supports the topic

Visual material is of highest quality, is not plagiarized, and completely supports the topic

Organization

minimal overall logical plan with ideas out of order

-no clear introduction

-no clear summary

there is some evidence of structure or organization

-minimal introduction

-an attempt has been made to summarize the issue

the organization is logical and appropriate

-good introduction , and the introduction and conclusions are connected

the introduction clearly captures the attention and is connected to the conclusion

-the essay is clearly summarized in the conclusions

Use of Language

weak command of appropriate vocabulary

fair command of appropriate vocabulary

Good use of appropriate vocabulary including correct scientific terms

Excellent use of appropriate vocabulary including correct scientific terminology

Conventions

weak command of spelling, punctuation, and grammar

-more than a total of 6 spelling grammar or punctuation mistakes

fair command of spelling punctuation and grammar

-3-5 spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes

good commands of spelling, punctuation , and grammar

no more than 1 -2 mistakes in spelling, punctuation, or grammar

excellent command of spelling,   punctuation of grammar

no spelling or grammar mistakes

few aspects of the expected visual presentation are evident

i.e. title page, typing, paragraph structure

some aspects of the expected visual presentation are evident

-a little messy . Some (2-3) mistakes in typing and paragraph structure

the visual presentation is appropriate

-the essay is easy to read

no  more than 1 typing mistake or error in paragraph structure

-the visual presentation is effective

-well-typed and set up

-no typing mistakes

-appropriate title page

-tables and graphs are appropriately sized and placed.

Applications

Applications of Concepts

make connections between the subject and the use in the broader world with limited effectiveness

makes connections with moderate effectiveness

makes connections with considerable effectiveness

makes connections with a high degree of effectiveness