CONTENT

Clarity/Organization

5

Central Claims of book are clearly stated early on. Focus is marinated and supportive material is related to focus. Conclusion returns to focus.

4

Same as 5, but a little wandering off topic.

3

Topic is stated, but focus gets lost in one or more places.

2

Focus not stated, some focus in supportive material.

1

Lacks focus. Paper rambles, lacks conclusion.

Writing

5

Each paragraph and sentence is clear. Writing is crisp, clear, compact.

4

Mostly clear, well written.

3

Writing rambles a bit or may be long-winded, but effort is evident.

2

Little clarity and/or cleanness

1

Paragraphs and sentences ramble, are disconnected.

Relevance

5

Book’s relevance to the author is discussed. Book’s relevance to understanding American education past, present, and future is explained clearly. Book’s relevance to equity and justice is described.

4

Book’s relevance to author is discussed. Relevance to course is described.

3

Book’s relevance to author is hinted at (experiences in education). Some connection is made to American education or to equity and justice, but it is not explicit.

2

Author does not reveal relevance, but links book to course.

1

Relevance to author is not described. No connection made to course or equity and justice.

Thoughtfulness and Substance

5

Clear evidence that you deal with the central matters of the book and explicitly not the point of view of the author.

4

Mostly evident, as in 5.

3

Central matters of book are not completely understood, but author’s viewpoint is grasped.

2

Central matters are somewhat understood. Author’s viewpoint is missed.

1

Lacks substantive awareness of central matters of book and author’s point of view.

Engagement with Test

5

Review evinces that the themes of opus have been thoroughly read and digested.

4

Largely evincing evidence of digestion of book’s theme.

3

Some evidence of understanding of book’s theme, but not clear digestion of key ideas.

2

Lacks awareness of themes. A few key ideas grasped.

1

No awareness of them or evidence of deep understanding of book.

Thoroughness

5

Author has clearly “dug deep” to analyze the book. Author has obvious knowledge of key ideas. Author is an authority on the book.

4

As in 5, but may miss being an authority.

3

Author demonstrates interest and has done some careful reading, but has not become an authority on the book.

2

Surface level of understanding. Effort evident, but not deep.

1

Little evidence of effort to wrestle with book. Surface only.

FORMAT

Length

5

3-5 pages, appropriate to topic/project.

4

3-5 pages, mostly appropriate.

3

3-5 pages, length is developed with filler.

2

2-3 pages, too short for topic.

1

>3 pages, not appropriate length.

Formatting/Conventions

5

Blocked, word-processed, 1” margins, 12-point font. Spelling, usage, paragraphing, sentence structure correct.

4

Most conventions followed.

3

Formatting correct. Some errors in conventions.

2

Formatting not correct. Some convention errors.

1

Serious errors in formatting and conventions.

Total /40