TPS 6th-12th Social Studies Rubric

Criteria 1 Beginning 2 Developing 3 Proficient 4 - Advanced

Thesis with subtopics directly addresses the task Details are thoroughly developed and provide complete support for the thesis Order and structure enhance effectiveness NOTE: 0 Rating -- Task either not attempted or very little or no effort was demonstrated to complete the task.

Thesis and Essay Development

Historical context and/or prompt are copied to serve as the thesis Facts are stated as a simple list Order and structure are not present

Thesis is attempted, but unclear Details are present but limited Order and structure reduce effectiveness

Thesis is present and addresses the task Details are included and provide support for the thesis Order and structure are satisfactory

Content Relevance

Prior knowledge is inaccurate or irrelevant Analysis of documents shows misunderstanding or there is no reference to documents

Prior knowledge is limited Analysis of documents shows limited understanding of documents and/or there is little reference to documents.

Includes prior knowledge that is mostly accurate and relevant Analysis of documents is satisfactory and shows understanding of the documents

Relevant prior knowledge is included and is entirely accurate Analysis of documents shows advanced understanding of the documents with explicit reference to or internal citation provided

Historical Thinking

Synthesis of relevant information (prior knowledge or documents) is incomplete or irrelevant. Synthesis of information does not put forth a Historically plausible argument

Synthesis of relevant information (prior knowledge or documents) is attempted but limited Synthesis of information into a Historically plausible argument is attempted, but unclear.

Synthesis of relevant information (prior knowledge or documents) is satisfactory Synthesis of information into a Historically plausible argument is satisfactory.

Synthesis of information is thorough and relevant and accurately expands the prompt Synthesis of information into a Historically plausible argument is thoroughly developed and effective.

Analysis 1 a : a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other b : an explanation of the nature and meaning of something [Merriam-Webster] Synthesis 1. a : the composition or combination of parts or elements so as to form a whole c : the combining of often diverse conceptions into a coherent whole. 2. a : deductive reasoning b : the dialectic combination of thesis and antithesis into a higher stage of truth [Merriam-Webster]

Revised 6/13/12