Assessment

Criterion

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Knowledge and Understanding

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

Thinking and Inquiry

Calculations

very little quantitative analysis was completed and contains significant errors

some quantitative analysis was completed with some errors

a quantitative analysis was properly completed with few errors

a thorough quantitative analysis was properly completed in a variety of contexts

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

Validity of Data

Qualitative descriptions were recorded, but no quantitative measurements were made.

Attempts were made to quantitatively measure the dependant variable

Quantitative measurements were made of the dependant variable.

Precise quantitative measurements were made of the dependant variable.

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. 

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 plagarized, 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 project was clearly summarized

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

few aspects of the expected visual presentation are evident

some aspects of the expected visual presentation are evident

the visual presentation is appropriate

-the visual presentation is effective