Claims, Evidence and Reasoning Scientific Explanations Rubric Linked to SBAC Argumentative

Claims, Evidence and Reasoning – Scientific Explanations Rubric Linked to SBAC Argumentative Writing 4 3 2 1 0 Claim – a conclusion that  Scientifically  Scientifically accurate  Partially  Is not scientifically accurate overall No claim answers the original accurate  Nearly completely answers the scientifically  Does not adequately answer the question  Completely answers question accurate question the question  Inaccurate claim(s) are only  Partially  Common inaccurate generally addressed, no specifics answers the claim(s) are clearly question addressed.  Inaccurate claim(s) are not addressed Evidence – scientific data  The data are  The data are scientifically  The data relate  There is some evidence provided, No that supports the claim scientifically appropriate to support the claim to the claim, but it is not logically linked to the evidence appropriate to  The data are basically sufficient but are not claim or scientifically appropriate provided support the claim. and convincing, but tend to be entirely  The data are more general and not as specific scientifically thorough and and in depth appropriate convincing – enough  Does not address why alternate  The data are details and evidence claims do not work not sufficient, provided.  Evidence may be repetitive though  Proper units are used generally in data support the  Shows with evidence claim why alternate claims do not work Reasoning – a  Reasoning clearly  Reasoning adequately links  Reasoning does  Reasoning is clearly insufficient and Does not justification that links links evidence to claim to evidence not adequately relates only tangentially to question provide the claim and evidence claim  Includes related scientific link claim to and claim at hand reasoning  Shows why the data principles, but only passably evidence, or  Scientific understanding is very count as evidence by clarifies why this data count as clarify why data limited using appropriate evidence count as scientific principles  Reasoning tends to be more evidence  There are sufficient general and shows only partial  Includes scientific principles depth of content understanding related and to make links clear non-related between claim and scientific evidence principles, and shows little depth of content understanding Language and  Response clearly and  Response adequately expresses  Response  Scientific language and vocabulary Not under- Vocabulary effectively expresses ideas and scientifically inconsistently are not precise or appropriate standable ideas using precise, appropriate descriptions and and sometimes scientifically vocabulary, but they are more inappropriately appropriate general than specific expresses ideas descriptions and or scientific vocabulary descriptions and vocabulary Focus and Organization  Focus only on  Focus mainly on question at  Focus not  Focus not at all consistent No clear question at hand hand, some loosely connected consistent on  Progression of ideas not logical focus or  Logical progression material present question at  Have an unclear claim that is not organiza- of ideas  Logical progression of ideas hand maintained tion  Clearly stated and  Clearly stated and focused claim  Progression of focused claim that is that is adequately maintained ideas not strongly maintained entirely logical  Have a claim, but it’s not entirely clear or maintained

Rubric adapted by Kevin J. B. Anderson from K. McNeill and J. Krajcik, NSTA, and SBAC Argumentative Writing Rubric for grades 6-11