Assessment of Reading, Writing and
Mathematics: Junior Division
Released 2014 Assessment: Language 1, Writing
Item-Specific Rubrics and
Sample Student Responses with Annotations
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Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Topic Development
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Q13: Your class has agreed to do some volunteer work in your school this year. Each student can work
in an area of his or her choosing. Write a detailed paragraph explaining what you choose to do and why.
Code
B
I
10
Descriptor
Blank: nothing written or drawn in the space provided
Illegible: cannot be read; completely crossed out / erased; not written in English
OR
Irrelevant content: does not attempt assigned prompt (e.g., comment on the task,
drawings, “?”, “!”, “I don’t know”)
OR
Off topic: no relationship of written work to assigned prompt
OR
Errors in conventions prevent communication
Response is not developed; ideas and information are limited and unclear.
Organization is random with no links between ideas. Response has a limited
relationship to the assigned task.
20
Response is minimally developed with few ideas and little information.
Organization is minimal with weak links between ideas. Response is partly related
to the assigned task.
30
Response has a clear focus, adequately developed with ideas and supporting details.
Organization is simple or mechanical with adequate links between ideas. Response
is clearly related to the assigned task.
40
Response has a clear focus, well-developed with sufficient specific and relevant
ideas and supporting details. Organization is logical and coherent with effective
links between ideas. Response has a thorough relationship to the assigned task.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Topic Development
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 10
Annotation: Response is not developed. Ideas (e.g., I would be a coach because I know a lot about sports… I
play all of them and I understand the games and rules) and supporting details are limited (e.g., I would teach
them to play….because they are very fun games…).
Response has a limited relationship to the assigned task.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Topic Development
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 20
Annotation: Response is minimally developed with few ideas (e.g., …I would want to volunteer to be gym
orgenizer. I would bring the kids to the gym and give the teacher some time to mark papers…) and simple
supporting details (e.g., …kids in kinder garden they could play ketck or play musicle chairs…).
Organization is minimal with weak links between ideas (e.g., For the kids…For the kid…If any kids had an
idea…). Response is partly related to the assigned task.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Topic Development
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 30
Annotation: Response has a clear focus with adequately developed ideas (e.g., …help the gym teacher…get
to see some eqiupment that I never saw before…) and supporting details (e.g., …if your helping the gym
teacher you get to go outside and get some fresh air… get to watch people run if it’s a sunny and good day…
get to instruct people…it will look like I’m a teacher…). Organization is simple with adequate links between
ideas (e.g., Secondy…because…; Meanwhile…maybe…; Finnaly…so…I will get to instruct people...That
would be a fun day…). Response is clearly related to the assigned task.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Topic Development
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 40
Annotation: Response has a clear focus and is well-developed with sufficient specific ideas (e.g., …the
grade 1 classroom….because if in the future I ever want to become a teacher I can learn things…this is a
good oportunity learn the steps on how to be a leader…) and relevant supporting details (e.g., …how to
interact with young children…The more younger they are the more you will get their full attention from.).
Organization is logical with an apparent closing statement and ideas flow clearly (e.g., …I chose…because
if…I ever want…I can…I am also shy…so this…and how to connect…With young children it can be
hard…This could be good practise…From this experience I’m hoping I will find the courage to a be a good
leader…). Response has a thorough relationship to the assigned task.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Conventions
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Q13: Your class has agreed to do some volunteer work in your school this year. Each student can work
in an area of his or her choosing. Write a detailed paragraph explaining what you choose to do and why.
Code
B
I
Descriptor
Blank: nothing written or drawn in the space provided
Illegible: cannot be read; completely crossed out / erased; not
written in English
OR
Errors in conventions prevent communication
10
Errors in conventions interfere with communication
OR
Insufficient evidence to assess the use of conventions
20
Errors in conventions do not interfere with communication
30
Conventions are used appropriately to communicate
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Conventions
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 10
Annotation: Response has errors in conventions (e.g., missing capital: example…; several examples of lack
of sentence control: two run-on sentences: …I can get it for them there is always……I can do it for him so I
would…; incorrect subject-verb agreement: …there is always people…I would work…for helping; missing
end punctuation in the final sentence; a spelling errors: some one, secetary, ether) that interfere with
communication.
Response does not demonstrate the use of grade-level conventions or control of conventions.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Conventions
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 20
Annotation: Response has errors in conventions (e.g., improper word usage: …it is a (an) easy and fun
job…; a run-on sentence: …a fun job You and your friend walk and talk while selling the cookies You
can’t…; a sentence beginning with ‘and’; an improper contraction: have’nt; a spelling error: caries) that do
not interfere with communication. Response demonstrates some control of simple sentences and of
compound sentences by using “and.”
Response demonstrates the use of some grade-level conventions and some control of conventions.
Scoring Guide for Short Writing (2014)
Conventions
Volunteer Work – Booklet 1 – Question 13
Code 30
Annotation: Response uses conventions appropriately to communicate (e.g., correct beginning and end
punctuation; some varied end punctuation; capitalization of proper nouns; commas used correctly in
introductory phrases, subordinate clauses; correct contractions). Some errors exist (e.g., spelling errors:
excersice, excersising; comma splices:…is not torture, it is fun; …volunteer, I also think…).
Response demonstrates control of grade-level conventions.