Research Paper Assessment Rubric

1

Unsatisfactory

2

Developing

3

Satisfactory

4

Proficient

5

Excellent

Content

The relationship of water quality to humans, other organisms and/or systems is not addressed.

Consequences of this issue are absent.

Solutions and/or recommendations are absent or confusing.

The relationship of water quality to humans, other organisms and/or systems is vague, confusing.

Consequences of this issue are vague or confusing.

Solutions and/or recommendations are absent or inappropriate.

 

The relationship of water quality to humans, other organisms and/or systems is addressed but one category may be missing.

At least one consequence of this issue is presented.

One general solution and/or recommendation is presented.

The relationship of water quality to humans, other organisms and/or systems is generally
addressed.

Short and long term implications of this issue are presented.

One or two appropriate solutions and/or recommendations
are presented.

The relationship of water quality to humans, other organisms and/or systems is clearly established.

Short and long term implications of this issue are clearly outlined and linked to the water cycle.

Two or more thoughtful solutions and/or recommendations
are convincingly presented.

Organization

Arrangement of details
and ideas is confusing

Ideas are aimless and unconnected.

Arrangement of details
and ideas is unclear

Writing is very disorganized and few ideas are connected

Details and ideas are roughly arranged
in a workable order

Writing is sometimes off topic

Details and ideas are orderly arranged with a beginning, middle and end.

Ideas generally relate to the solutions and recommendations being presented.

Details and ideas are carefully arranged to add interest and clarity

Ideas and details build towards
a convincing argument for
the proposed
solutions and recommendations

Writing Conventions

Many run-ons, fragments and awkward phrasings make my paper hard to read.

Communication is unclear because there are so many errors

Scientific vocabulary is absent

Sentences are often awkward, and/or contain run-ons and fragments

Communication is often unclear because of the number of errors.

Scientific vocabulary is used ineffectively or infrequently

Sentences are generally well constructed but there may be one or two run-on, fragment or awkward sentences.

Communication is
generally clear despite
some errors

Some attempts to use
scientific vocabulary

Sentences are complete and well constructed. Some attempts to make writing interesting.

There are a couple of spelling, punctuation and/or grammatical errors that should be corrected.

Use of scientific vocabulary demonstrates awareness of concepts

Sentences are clear, complete and of varying lengths. Writing is convincing.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct.

Effective use of scientific vocabulary that demonstrates understanding of key concepts.

Personal Management Skills

Requires excessive teacher intervention and supervision

Unable to manage
time or behavior

Requires constant supervision

Requires frequent teacher intervention and supervision

Frequently unable to manage time or behavior

Needs frequent teacher intervention

Sometimes needs to be reminded to attend to tasks

Does not take the initiative to ask for help when needed

Fairly responsible

Behavior requires some supervision

Rarely needs reminders to stay on task

Takes the initiative to ask for assistance when needed from peers and teacher.

Generally responsible

Behavior requires minimal supervision

Consistently demonstrates on task behavior

Takes the initiative
to access a variety of resources to extend knowledge, skills and ideas

Behaves responsibly
and does not require teacher supervision

 

©2002 Golden Hills School Division #75
©2002 The Galileo Educational Network Association
GENA