STAAR Essay Scoring
Understanding the Essay and Rubric
Today’s Agenda
TEA Scoring Guide Review
 Practice

◦ 3 Rounds of Expository Scoring
◦ 3 Rounds of Literary / Persuasive Scoring

Discussion
Adjacent Scoring
Reader Reader
1
2
Score Description
0
0
0
Nonscorable
1
1
2
Very Limited
1
2
3
Between Very Limited and Basic
2
2
4
Basic
2
3
5
Between Basic and Satisfactory
3
3
6
Satisfactory
3
4
7
Between Satisfactory and Accomplished
4
4
8
Accomplished
Readers scores must be adjacent for scoring to occur. Otherwise, it
goes to the table leader. Difficult papers go to TEA staff for decision.
Expository Prompt – 7th Grade
Expository Prompt – English I
Expository Rubric – Score 1
Expository Rubric – Score 1
Expository Rubric – Score 1
Expository Rubric – Score 2
Expository Rubric – Score 2
Expository Rubric – Score 2
Expository Rubric – Score 3
Expository Rubric – Score 3
Expository Rubric – Score 3
Expository Rubric – Score 4
Expository Rubric – Score 4
Expository Rubric – Score 4
Expository Scoring
Essay
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Set A
2
2
4
1
3
1
4
3
2
3
4
1
Set B
2
4
1
3
1
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
Set C
1
3
3
2
4
2
1
3
4
2
1
4
Expository Prompt List







Write an essay explaining whether it is better to
work by yourself or with a group.
Write an essay explaining if it is every okay to break
the rules.
Write an essay explaining the importance of never
giving up.
Writing an essay explaining whether people should be
more concerned about others than about themselves.
Write an essay explaining the effect of one new
technology on people’s lives.
Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes
necessary to take a chance.
Write an essay explaining whether a person must
always be acknowledged in order to have
accomplished something.
Narrative Prompt – 7th Grade
Persuasive Prompt – English II
Narrative / Persuasive Rubric

Categories
◦ Organization / Progression
◦ Development of Ideas
◦ Use of Language / Conventions
Review the rubric indicators for Score 1-4.
Compare the narrative or persuasive rubric
to the expository rubric and discuss their
similarities and differences at your table.
Literary / Persuasive Scoring
Essay
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Set D
2
4
1
3
1
4
3
2
1
4
3
2
Set E
1
3
3
2
4
2
1
3
4
2
1
4
Set F
2
2
4
1
3
1
4
3
2
3
4
1
Narrative Prompt List
Write a personal narrative about a time when
you had to make a decision.
 Write a personal narrative about a time when
you had to change your plans because something
unexpected happened.
 Write a personal narrative about a time when
you had fun participating in an activity with other
people.

Write a story about the power of imagination.
Write a story about a challenging adventure. The
adventure may be real or imagined.
 Write a story about taking care of something or
someone.


Persuasive Prompt List
Write an essay stating your position on
which is more important: what a person
thinks or what a person does.
 Write an essay stating your opinion on
which is more beneficial – spending time
with others or spending time alone.


Write an essay stating your position on
whether you believe that we live in an
information age or an interruption age.
Discussion
All the packet sets (A-F) we have looked
are from our students. What mistakes are
our students typically making?
Available Resources