Educational Reform Essay – Rubric

Positive and Negative Aspects of Changes or Reforms 30 points

Criteria Description

Positive and Negative Aspects of Changes or Reforms

5. Target 30 points

Insightfully discusses both positive and negative aspects of the selected changes or reforms.

4. Acceptable 26.1 points

Discusses both positive and negative aspects of the selected changes or reforms.

3. Approaching 22.2 points

Could include a more thorough discussion regarding the positive or negative aspects of the selected

changes or reforms.

2. Insufficient 20.7 points

Includes an incomplete discussion regarding the positive and negative aspects of the selected changes or

reforms.

1. No Submission 0 points

Proposed Change 20 points

Criteria Description

Proposed Change

5. Target 20 points

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Includes a proposed change or reform that is practical, realistic, and would arguably benefit the future of

special education.

4. Acceptable 17.4 points

Includes a proposed change or reform that would arguably benefit the future of special education.

3. Approaching 14.8 points

Includes a proposed change or reform that could be more practical or realistic; or how it would benefit the

future of special education could be more clearly expressed.

2. Insufficient 13.8 points

Includes a proposed change or reform that is impractical or unrealistic; or how it would benefit the future

of special education is tenuously expressed.

1. No Submission 0 points

Not addressed.

How Proposed Change Could be Brought About 15 points

Criteria Description

How Proposed Change Could be Brought About

5. Target 15 points

Includes a thorough explanation regarding how the proposed change or reform could realistically be

brought about.

4. Acceptable 13.05 points

Includes an explanation regarding how the proposed change or reform could be brought about.

3. Approaching 11.1 points

Includes an explanation regarding how the proposed change or reform could realistically be brought about

that could be presented more thoroughly.

2. Insufficient 10.35 points

Includes an explanation regarding how the proposed change or reform could be brought about that is

unrealistic or incomplete.

1. No Submission 0 points

Research 5 points

Criteria Description

Research

5. Target 5 points

Research is supportive of the information presented. Sources are timely, distinctive and clearly address all

of the criteria stated in the assignment.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Research is relevant and generally supports the information presented. All of the criteria stated in the

assignment are addressed.

3. Approaching 3.7 points

Submission includes only 1-2 sources, sources do not fully support claims, or sources are not all credible.

2. Insufficient 3.45 points

Sources provided do not support the claims of the presentation or are not credible.

1. No Submission 0 points

Not addressed.

Thesis Development and Purpose 7 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Target 7 points

Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of

the paper clear.

4. Acceptable 6.09 points

Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive, reflective of the

arguments, and appropriate to the purpose.

3. Approaching 5.18 points

Thesis is underdeveloped or vague. Purpose is not clear.

2. Insufficient 4.83 points

Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.

1. No Submission 0 points

Not addressed.

Argument Logic and Construction 8 points

Criteria Description

Argument Logic and Construction

5. Target 8 points

Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner.

4. Acceptable 6.96 points

Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth

progression of claims from introduction to conclusion.

3. Approaching 5.92 points

Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the

logic.

2. Insufficient 5.52 points

Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made.

Argument is incoherent.

1. No Submission 0 points

Not addressed.

Mechanics of Writing 5 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Target 5 points

Submission is virtually free of mechanical errors. Word choice reflects well-developed use of practice and

content-related language. Sentence structures are varied and engaging.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Submission includes some mechanical errors, but they do not hinder comprehension. Varieties of effective

sentence structures are used, as well as some practice and content-related language.

3. Approaching 3.7 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register)

or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied.

2. Insufficient 3.45 points

Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word

choice or sentence construction is used.

1. No Submission 0 points

Not addressed

Paper Format 5 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Target 5 points

All format elements are correct.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Appropriate template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in formatting style.

3. Approaching 3.7 points

Appropriate template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting

is apparent.

2. Insufficient 3.45 points

Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.

1. No Submission 0 points

Documentation of Sources 5 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment

and style)

5. Target 5 points

Sources are documented completely and correctly, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is

free of error.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct.

3. Approaching 3.7 points

Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although several minor formatting errors

are present.

2. Insufficient 3.45 points

Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with

numerous formatting errors.

1. No Submission 0 pointsTotal 100 points