Washington State University
Adaptation of the Critical
Thinking Rubric for Math 107
1
Identifies the
specific situation,
problem, or question.
To accomplish this, you need
to classify the problem, create
a plan for the solution, be
aware of assumptions, and
correctly interpret the
information given. If the
problem is a word problem,
you also need to define all of
the variables and their
relationships.
Bold print items refer to
problems set in context.
Emergent
1
Developing
2
3
4
Mastering
5
6
Does not classify or incorrectly
classifies the problem.
Classifies the problem using
some appropriate characteristics
and others that are not.
Classifies the problem and
identifies appropriate
characteristics.
Provides an incorrect plan or no
plan, displays no evidence of
knowing where to begin or end.
Recognizes few or none of the
multiple processes needed.
Provides a plan that leads to a
dead end or requires undoing of
previous work. Recognizes only
some of the multiple processes
needed.
Provides a clear plan for the
solution. Recognizes the need
for multiple processes or the
need for application of the same
process multiple times.
Identifies none of the
assumptions to be used in the
solution of the problem.
Identifies some but not all
assumptions to be used in the
solution of the problem.
Identifies all assumptions to be
used in the solution of the
problem.
Is unable to interpret the
Interprets information from
information given. Does not
graphical, algebraic, or verbal
understand or misrepresents the statements mostly accurately.
task
Interprets information accurately
from graphical, algebraic, or
verbal statements. Correctly
translates all notations.
Defines few of the known and Defines some of the known
unknown variables needed to and unknown variables
solve the problem.
and/or their domains needed
to solve the problem. Makes
use of extraneous
information.
Defines all known and
unknown variables needed to
solve the problem and
considers their domains.
Recognizes extraneous
information or the need for
more information.
Defines insufficient or
inappropriate relationships
between variables or does not
make any relationship
definitions.
Defines sufficient and
appropriate relationships
between variables.
Partially defines sufficient
and appropriate
relationships between
variables.
Washington State University
Adaptation of the Critical
Thinking Rubric for Math 107
3
4
5
6
Identifies none of the properties
that support the solution of the
problem.
Identifies some of the properties
that support the solution of the
problem.
Identifies all of the properties
that support the solution of the
problem.
Makes up properties.
Distorts properties occasionally.
Identifies some properties that
are not appropriate to the
conditions.
Identifies only properties that
can be verified.
Identifies only properties that are
appropriate to the conditions.
Most properties identified are
not appropriate to the
conditions.
The step above and the
one below are completed
together as a cycle of
“indentify and apply.”
Inadsounctiinve
g
re
T heneeorarl y
)
(g
3
demonstrates
how the
mathematical
properties apply to
the specific
situation, problem,
or question.
To accomplish this, you
need to apply each property
that you
identified above to the
problem correctly.
2
Mastering
The
Cycle of
Identify
and apply
D eadsuocntiinve
g
re
Identifies
(and notes) the
mathematical
properties
applicable to the
specific situation,
problem, or
question
To accomplish this, you
need to be able to identify
all of the properties that
allow you to manipulate
the equation or expression
leading to your planned
solution. You also need to
make sure that the
properties that you choose
are verifiable and
appropriate to the
circumstance.
1
Developing
p li c a ti o
A p ( s p e ci f ic ) n
2
Emergent
Emergent
1
Developing
2
Does not apply identified
properties accurately
3
4
Intermittently applies identified
properties accurately.
Mastering
5
6
Applies identified properties
accurately.
Washington State University
Adaptation of the Critical
Thinking Rubric for Math 107
2
4
5
6
Identifies none of the definitions
and notations that support the
solution of the problem.
Identifies some of the
definitions and notations that
support the solution of the
problem.
Identifies all of the definitions
and notations that support the
solution of the problem.
Makes up definitions and
notations.
Distorts definitions and
notations occasionally.
Identifies only definitions and
notations that can be verified.
Most definitions and notations
identified are not appropriate to
the conditions.
Identifies some definitions and
notations that are not
appropriate to the conditions.
Identifies only definitions and
notations that are appropriate
under the conditions.
The step above and the
one below are completed
together as a cycle of
“indentify and apply.”
Inadsounctiinve
g
re
T heneeorarl y
)
(g
5
demonstrates
how these
definitions and
notations apply
to the specific
situation, problem,
or question.
To accomplish this, you
need to apply each
definition or notation that
you identified above to the
problem correctly.
3
Mastering
The
Cycle of
Identify
and apply
D eadsuocntiinve
g
re
Identifies
(and notes) the
mathematical
definitions and
notations
applicable to the
specific situation,
problem, or
question
To accomplish this, you
need to be able to identify
all of the definitions and
notations that allow you
to manipulate the equation
or expression leading to
your planned solution and
allow someone else to
make sense of your work.
You also need to make sure
that the properties that you
choose are verifiable and
appropriate to the
circumstance.
1
Developing
p li c a ti o
A p ( s p e ci f ic ) n
4
Emergent
Emergent
1
Developing
2
Does not apply identified
definitions and notations
accurately.
3
4
Intermittently applies identified
definitions and notations
accurately.
Mastering
5
6
Applies identified definitions and
notations accurately.
Washington State University
Adaptation of the Critical
Thinking Rubric for Math 107
6
Sythesizes the
information
above into a
mathematically
consistent
solution to the
specific situation,
problem, or
question.
To accomplish this, you
need to combine all the
parts above to arrive at a
consistent solution, check
for reasonableness and
appropriateness of your
solution, check your
computations, check your
units, and make sure that
you display your
solution appropriately.
Emergent
1
Developing
2
3
4
Mastering
5
6
Cannot combine the processes
and properties to arrive at a
consistent solution.
Combines the processes and
properties incompletely or
inconsistently.
Appropriately combines the
processes and properties to arrive
at a consistent solution.
Arrives at no solution to the
problem.
Arrives at a solution to the
problem that is inconsistent with
the choices above.
Arrives at a solution to the
problem that is consistent with
the choices above.
Displays a solution that is
extraneous, unreasonable, or
unrelated to the problem.
Displays a solution that is
partially extraneous,
unreasonable, or unrelated to the
problem.
Displays a solution that is
reasonable and appropriate to
the problem.
Makes mathematical
Makes some incorrect or
computations that are often
inconsistent mathematical
incorrect or that have no relation computations.
to the problem.
Makes correct and appropriate
mathematical computations.
Uses units incorrectly or
not at all.
Uses units correctly and
appropriately to the problem.
Displays errors in units.
Is unable to display the solution Displays the solution
appropriately.
inappropriately in graphical,
algebraic, or verbal
representation using poor
choices of scale or verbal or
algebraic sentence fragments.
Displays the solution
appropriately in graphical,
algebraic, or verbal
representation.