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
