MIDTERM ESSAY
Please see comments and questions, highlighted in yellow. Please note that it seems that the
description and rubric do not match.
ECF 701 Essay-Weighting
These are possible choices for your essay [length: 6 (minimum) to 8 pages]:
Choose a time period and consider the educational and social issues of that era. (NCATE Std 1c
foundations of education)
1. Imagine that you are a part of that era. You can write your essay in a narrative voice (i. e., a memoir,
journalist, storyteller, etc.) or through a form of characterization (children and/or adults involved).
You will need to identify:
 the forces involved in the social issue(s) of that period which may include economic influences,
social structures (family, government, church, etc.), presiding philosophies or theories (religious,
scientific or otherwise) (NCATE Std 1c foundations of education)
 who the “key” players are involved in the issue or concern you choose to write about
 how those person(s) or issue(s) influenced life and history in that time period
OR
2. You may write an essay in a more formal style as a reaction or response paper using a minimum of
three (3) texts (articles, books, etc.) we’ve covered in class.
Keep in Mind:
(Note: It seems that the items below are only for essay two. Is that correct?)
Consider texts individually. Cite all references. Use a minimum of one (1) primary
data resource.
• What is the main problem or issue that is being addressed? (NCATE Std 1c foundations of education)
• What is the central claim, argument, or point of your essay?
• How can you integrate articles and readings from the class or through your independent research to
support or counter your argument?
• What evidence does the author present and does this support your claim?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the texts? (NCATE Std 1c foundations of education)
• What are possible counterarguments to the text’s claims?
• Why are the problem(s) and the argument(s) interesting or important?
• Consider both sides of issues at stake. If all the texts are on one side of an issue, consider the other
side. If the texts fall on both sides of an issue, consider where agreements and disagreements lie and
what each side’s strengths and weaknesses are.
• Do not just summarize the texts. You are supposed to be reacting or responding to them, not simply
repeating what they say. If there is no analysis involved, then you have not responded, only regurgitated.
MIDTERM ESSAY
RUBRIC
Social Foundations & Historical Contexts of ECF 701
Note: This rubric seems relatively appropriate for essay choice two, but it does not seem to
match essay choice one.
Performance
Outcome
1. Describe one
educational
philosophy using
component
elements
NCATE Std 1c
Note: The
description for
essay one
mentions
describing a
philosophy, but
the description for
essay two does
not. Please clarify
2. Comparative
analysis of two
educational
philosophies
NCATE Std 1c
Note: The
description does
not make clear
that the essays
require a
comparison of
two philosophies.
Please clarify.
3. Write a well
organized paper
4. Primary &
secondary
resources are
included as
outlined
NCATE Std 1c
Above Standard
Meets Standard
Approaches
Standard
Below Standard
Description is very
clear and thorough, is
rich in relevant details
and includes at least
three of the
component elements
Description is clear,
includes sufficient
relevant details and
includes at least two
of the component
elements
Description is
somewhat clear, and
some relevant details
and includes at least
one of the
component elements
Description is not
clear, includes few
relevant details and
does not include
component
elements
Comparative analysis
of two educational
philosophies is
presented in detail
highlighting both
similarities and
differences and using
the component
elements.
Comparative analysis
of two educational
philosophies is more
limited but uses some
of the component
elements and includes
at least one similarity
and one difference.
Analysis of two
educational
philosophies is
presented with
relevant details. The
comparison is limited
and focuses only on
similarities or
differences but not
both. Uses
component elements
in analysis.
No comparison of the
two educational
philosophies is
presented.
Logical, sequential
organization
is clearly discernable
------------------Stays on topic
Organization is
discernable
Organization is not
discernable
------------------Topic sentences,
transitions, headings
and subheadings are
effectively used
The candidate meets
and goes beyond the
minimum of two
primary and two
secondary references
incorporated into the
essay. Connections are
made to other sources
and/or the experiences
and understandings of
the candidate.
------------------Topic sentences and
transitions effectively
used
Organization is
somewhat
discernable
-----------------Tangential issues are
discussed
------------------Topic sentences and
transitions used
sometimes
The minimum of two
primary and two
secondary
references are met
but are weakly
incorporated into the
essay.
The minimum of two
primary and two
secondary references
are not met.
------------------Stays on topic
A minimum of two
primary and two
secondary
references are
incorporated into the
essay. Connections
are made to other
sources and/or the
experiences and
understandings of the
candidate.
Note: The description
------------------Tangential issues are
discussed extensively
------------------Topic sentences and
transitions are rarely
used
MIDTERM ESSAY
5. Follow
designated
writing
guidelines (APA
style)
7. Write a
clear, concise,
grammatical
report
Citations and reference
list are accurate and in
designated style
Note: The essay one
description does not
state that citations and
a reference list are
required. Please
clarify.
Grammatical and
spelling rules are
followed
states that that essay
two requires “a
minimum of one (1)
primary data
resource.” However,
the rubric’s “meets
standard” states a
minimum of two
primary and two
secondary references
are required.” Is the
“data resource” the
same as the “primary
and secondary
references”? The
description for essay
one does not seem to
require any references
or data resources.
Please clarify.
Citations and
reference list are in
designated style
Grammatical and
spelling rules are
generally followed
Not consistent with
designated style
No apparent designated
style
Several violations of
grammatical and
spelling rules
Violations of
grammatical and
spelling rules are
numerous