Problem Solving Rubric
1
Identify Problem
How are common
sense/stereotypes
different from facts
based on social
science?
Research and gather
information about
problem
2
3
Exceeds Expectations
3
Meets Expectations
1
Doesn’t Meet Expectations
0
***Student identifies at least two ways that
common sense/stereotypes differ from
knowledge derived from the social sciences.
***Student identifies one way that common
sense/stereotypes differ from knowledge
derived from the social sciences.
***Student does not demonstrate
understanding of how common
sense/stereotypes differ from knowledge
derived from the social sciences.
***Students correctly defines both concepts
either common sense or stereotypes AND
psychology or sociology.
***Student correctly defines one of the two
concepts.
***Student does not correctly identify either
concept.
***Student creates a chart and identifies the
“facts” of the scenario or article. Students
identify the strengths and weaknesses of
each “fact,” (i.e. common knowledge, polling,
random survey, etc.).
***A chart is created that identifies the facts,
but does not identify the strength and
weaknesses of each fact.
***Students summarize the article or
scenario.
***Student identifies that
psychology/sociology seek to illuminate truth
and sometimes common sense or
stereotypes are validated, but other times
***Students understand that both common
sense/stereotypes and psychology/sociology
observe patterns, but not necessarily when
they overlap or differ.
***Student does not demonstrate the core
similarities and differences between common
sense/stereotypes and
psychology/sociology.
Student gathers
information
pertaining to the
definition of common
sense/stereotypes
and
psychology/sociology
with 80% accuracy.
Set Goals and
Identify Strategies
***Utilizing the
information gathered
and applying
previous knowledge
of the systematic
study of behavior or
society, the student
will review a scenario
and discuss which
facets of the case
are based on
common knowledge
and which are based
empirical evidence.
Determine limits for
solving the problem.
***Student will
Score/Level
1
2
3
identify when and if
common knowledge
intersects with
empirical evidence.
common sense/stereotypes are nothing
more than fallacies.
Make Decisions
Based on Analysis.
***Students identify at least two
sources/articles, the method used to gather
information, and at least one strength of the
method used and one weakness.
*** Students identify one source/article, the
method used to gather information, and at
least one strength of the method used and
one weakness
***Student identifies source/article, but
doesn’t think critically about the information
being presented and takes the information as
truth/face value.
***Student chooses the source or article that
uses a more rigorous sampling design and
where the results are generalizeable.
***Students pick the wrong source or article.
***Student does not pick a source or article.
***Students demonstrate with 90 percent
accuracy the difference between a social
science perspective and how it differs from
common sense and stereotypes, and is able
to provide an example of each.
*** Students demonstrate with 70 percent
accuracy the difference between a social
science perspective and how it differs from
common sense and stereotypes, and is able
to provide one example.
***Student understands common knowledge
or psychology/sociology, but not both. The
student is unable to provide an example.
***Students will
identify sources that
tend to use weaker
methods of gather
data vs those that
use stronger
methods.
Implement Solution
***Student
determines which
source/article is
more credible.
Evaluate Outcomes
***Students are able
to articulate how a
social science
perspective differs
from general
common sense and
stereotypes.
Score/Level