Grading Standards 2, 3 & 4

In previous posts this week, we've analyzed how Rows 1, 5 & 6 for the Individual Research Reports from Performance Task 1 are graded. Today we'll finish with Rows 2, 3 and 4.

Each of these rows can be assigned a score of 2, 4 or 6.

ROW 2:  Understanding &  Analyzing Argument

To get a perfect score of 6 for this row, the Performance Task must:

• Incorporates specific information from sources (uses quotations or paraphrase)
• Establishes a Line of Reasoning in the research
• Offers a solution to the stated problem

To obtain a perfect score for this section, students have to use specific, cited information from their sources in their Individual Research Reports. This information can be paraphrased or include a direct quotation and must be cited. The evidence must be judiciously chosen to support the line of reasoning in the paper. If the student is just throwing in random quotations, they will not score well in this Row.

In addition, their argument must offer at least one possible solution to the stated problem.

ROW 3:  Analyzing Sources & Evidence

To get a perfect score of 6 for this row, the Performance Task must:

• Controls development of the argument - sources are used deliberately to build the argument (again, the sources are not just thrown in as random, loosely-related facts)
• Credibility is addressed through attributive introductions

The first criteria for Row 3 seems redundant to me since using the sources to build an LOR in the argument is already part of the criteria for Row 2.

The second criteria addresses the student's ability to evaluate the credibility of a source.

For example, a student could introduce a fact or direct quotation by employing attributive introductions like the following:

According to John Smith, an expert in the field, ... 

Jane Doe, a renowned scientist, states that...

As published in the highly respected Journal of the American Chemical Society, ...

Row 4:  Understand and Analyze Perspective

To get a perfect score of 6 for this row, the Performance Task must:

• Discuss the topic through a range of perspectives
• Draw relevant connections between the perspectives

Again, this Row seems redundant to me, since perspectives are already part of the grade for Row 1. I'm not sure why the College Board includes some of the criteria in multiple rows, but it is what it is.

I hope this discussion of the grading for the IRR for PT 1 has been helpful to some of the newer teachers.  

Next week, I'll share some of my PT1 Outlines that help my students make sense of Performance Task 1.