NBHS Mission Rubrics

In order to achieve the goals set forth in our Mission Statement, the NBHS Faculty and Administration have developed the following set of rubrics as guidelines to assess student achievement:

The North Brookfield Junior/Senior High School Student:

1. is an effective communicator in both written and verbal form and is able to:

  • speak and write coherently using correct English for a variety of purposes and audiences

  • Excellent
    -Writing demonstrates an ability to use language creatively and purposefully for a variety of audiences.
    -Content, format, sentence structure, and word choice are appropriate and varied.
    -Demonstrates an ability to organize and develop ideas logically.
    -Verbally presents in a logical manner that expresses meaning with clear speech, eye contact, appropriate language, and conventional grammar.
  • Proficient
    -Writing conveys the purpose and point of view for a variety of audiences.
    -Content, format, sentence structure, and word choice are appropriate and show some variety.
    -Few mechanical errors.
    -Demonstrates effective organization and development of ideas.
    -Verbally presents in a logical manner with clear speech, some eye contact, and few grammatical errors.
  • Satisfactory
    -Writing conveys the basic purpose and point of view for a limited audience.
    -Content, format, sentence structure, and word choice are usually appropriate.
    -Shows basic ability to organize and develop ideas.
    -Grammar and spelling are generally correct.
    -Verbally presents in a fairly logical manner with little eye contact, somewhat clear speech, and some lapses in sentence structure and grammar.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Writing shows very limited focus of purpose and point of view.
    -Content, format, and sentence structure are often inappropriate.
    -Demonstrates limited organization and development of ideas.
    -Mechanical errors interfere with meaning.
    -Verbally presents in an unorganized manner with no eye contact and speech that is difficult to understand and has incorrect grammatical usage.

2. reads and responds critically to works of literature and is able to:

  • comprehend and analyze the thematic and historical issues in all genres of literature

  • Excellent
    -Can identify both major and minor themes in a piece of literature and provide evidence to show how each theme is developed.
    -Is able to readily make connections between various pieces of literature with similar themes.
    -Can show how a work was influenced by the historical aspects of the time period in which it is written and identify factors in an author's life that may have influenced the work.
  • Proficient
    -Can identify major themes in a piece of literature and provide evidence to show how each theme is developed.
    -Is able to often make connections between various pieces of literature with similar themes.
    -Can show how a work was influenced by the historical aspects of the time period in which it is written or identify factors in an author's life that may have influenced the work.
  • Satisfactory
    -Can identify a major theme in a piece of literature and provide some evidence to show how the theme is developed.
    -Is able to occasionally make connections between various pieces of literature with similar themes.
    -Can occasionally show how a work was influenced by the historical aspects of the time period in which it is written or identify factors in an author's life that may have influenced the work.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Cannot identify a theme in a piece of literature or provide evidence to show how the theme is developed.
    -Is unable to make connections between various pieces of literature with similar themes.
    -Cannot show how a work was influenced by the historical aspects of the time period in which it is written or identify factors in an author's life that may have influenced the work.

3. is a mathematical problem solver and is able to:

  • employ and evaluate the problem solving process and apply mathematical principles in a variety of scientific, technological, consumer, and business areas
  • use a variety of methods to describe and interpret information (tables, charts, etc.)
  • communicate mathematics by using language, symbols, and visuals

  • Excellent
    -Identifies special factors that influence the approach before starting the problem.
    -Approach is efficient or sophisticated.
    -Clearly explains and demonstrates the reasons for decisions made throughout the problem.
    -Solves the problem and makes a general rule about the solution or extends the solution to a more complicated situation.
  • Proficient
    -Understands the problem.
    -Approach works for the problem.
    -Explains the reasons for decisions, or work exhibits correct reasoning for the problem.
    -Solves the problem and is able to connect the solution to other math disciplines, or describes a practical application for what was learned.
  • Satisfactory
    -Understands enough to solve most of the problem or to get part of the solution
    -Approach leads to solving most of the problem
    -Uses some correct reasoning, or correct reasoning used for most of the problem
    -Does not clearly explain the reasons for decisions or work suggests some correct reasoning for the problem
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Does not understand enough to get started or make progress
    -Approach does not work
    -Reasoning is not explained and is not evident from the work

4. understands and uses the principles of scientific inquiry and is able to:

  • consider a problem, formulate a hypothesis, and use appropriate techniques to test the hypothesis

  • Excellent
    -Problem is defined clearly
    -An appropriate experimental design has been selected and is employed rigorously.
    -Reasoning is logical and is explained thoroughly.
    - Inferences and conclusions are supported by appropriate observations.
    - Methods and results are communicated clearly enough that a reader could easily repeat the experiment.
  • Proficient
    -The problem is defined adequately.
    -An experimental design is evident although it may not be completely appropriate and/or may not be employed rigorously.
    -Reasoning is generally logical and well explained.
    -Most inferences and conclusions are supported by observations.
    -The methods are communicated clearly enough for a reader to understand what the student has done, but not clearly enough to easily repeat the experiment.
  • Satisfactory
    -The problem is defined poorly.
    -There is some evidence of an experimental design, but it may be inappropriate and/or may not have been employed well.
    -Reasoning contains significant flaws and is be poorly explained.
    -There is some inference and conclusions that can be supported by observations, or may not have been supported adequately.
    -An attempt has been made to communicate the student's methods and results, but a reader would have difficulty repeating the experiment.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -The definition of the problem is very limited or altogether missing.
    - There is little, if any, evidence of an experimental design.
    -Reasoning may be illogical and may contain numerous errors.
    -There is numerous errors in explanation and serious misconceptions that render the inferences and conclusions unsupportable.
    -There is little evidence that the student tried to communicate his or her methods and results and/or a reader would not be able to reproduce the experiment.

5. understands the role of the United States in the world today from an historic perspective as well as the principles and practices of democracy and is able to:

  • differentiate and demonstrate through words and/or actions the rights and responsibilities of citizens
  • understand the influence of world history on the foundations of U.S. cultural, political, and economic thought

  • Excellent
    -Can identify and explain the significance of key historical documents and their historical connections to western civilization
    -Is able to explain the present and past involvement of the U.S. in global organizations and international treaties.
    -Is readily able to identify and explain core periods of U.S. and world history.
    - Is readily able to identify the geopolitical regions of the world and their significance to the U.S. from an historic and contemporary point of view.
  • Proficient
    -Can identify and explain the significance of key historical documents but has some difficulty with the connections to western civilization.
    -Is able to explain the involvement of the U.S. in global organizations and international treaties.
    -Is able to identify and explain core periods of U.S. and world history.
    -Is able to identify the geopolitical regions of the world and their significance to the U.S. from an historic and contemporary point of view.
  • Satisfactory
    -Can identify key historical documents.
    -Is able to explain the involvement of the U.S. in global organizations
    -Has some difficulty identifying and explaining core periods of U.S. and world history.
    -Has some difficulty identifying the geopolitical regions of the world and their significance to the U.S. from an historic and contemporary point of view.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Cannot identify any key historical documents.
    -Is unable to identify the involvement of the U.S. in any global organizations.
    - Has difficulty identifying and is limited in explanation of core periods of U.S. and world history
    -Is unable to identify the geopolitical regions of the world and their significance to the U.S. from an historic and contemporary point of view.

6. understands and respects diversity and is able to:

  • relate common themes from diverse cultures that are relevant to all of human existence
  • demonstrate understanding of world historical, cultural, and ideological contributions

  • Excellent
    -Analyzes and identifies the commonalties and differences of world cultures, societal and social norms and explains the relevance to human values
    -Demonstrates, through a variety of written and non-written classroom assessments, non-western and minority influences and contributions to political and economic thought, religious beliefs, art and architecture
    - Demonstrates a full understanding of the naturally occurring adaptations in a society resulting from technology, mores, geography and resources.
  • Proficient
    -Identifies the commonalties and differences of world cultures
    - Demonstrates, through written or non-written classroom assessments, non-western and minority influences and contributions to political and economic thought, religious beliefs, art and architecture.
    -Can identify how such contributions change within each society as a result of human and environmental influences
  • Satisfactory
    -Identifies commonalties or differences in world cultures
    -Demonstrates, primarily through one method of assessment, non-western and minority contributions to political and economic thought, religious beliefs, art and architecture
    -Can identify the non-western and minority contributions and/or influences as they exist today.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Cannot identify commonalties or differences in world cultures.
    -Is unable to produce any classroom assessment that clearly illustrates non-western and minority influences or contributions in any area of western culture.

7. thinks and analyzes critically and is able to:

  • demonstrate the ability to extend knowledge into new experiences
  • achieve a solution through logical reasoning

  • Excellent
    -Student demonstrates mastery of the central issues of a given question and extrapolates this understanding in a logical fashion. In addition, the student shows the clear and concise reasoning inherent in a complete and cogent condition of the problem or issues.
  • Proficient
    -Student demonstrates an understanding of the underlying issues of a given problem and applies it in a logical way. Student also demonstrates sound innovation in an adequate consideration of the problem or issue.
  • Satisfactory
    -Student demonstrates an adequate understanding of the underlying issues of a given problem and applies this information in such a way as to only show limited logic. Student demonstrates minimal critical thinking skills.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Student demonstrates a limited understanding of central issues of a given problem and does not apply information in a logical way. Also, student demonstrates poor critical thinking skills, little/no cause and effect, little/no use of supporting evidence, and little/no clarity of argument.

9. experiences a variety of practices to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle and is able to:

  • incorporate physical fitness into his/her lifestyle
  • make healthy choices throughout his/her life based on knowledge and skills he/she has acquired

  • Excellent
    -Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of positive decisions that maintain healthy relationships, builds self-esteem, prevents sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and can identify physical changes that occur during human development.
    -Discusses consequences of behaviors with respect to food choices, legal and illegal drugs and conflict resolution and uses that info to make healthy decisions
    -Excels in the President's Council of Physical Fitness testing and exhibits skills relative to lifetime physical activities
    -Demonstrates the rules of fair play and sportsmanship through participating in team play
  • Proficient
    -Demonstrates an understanding of how to maintain healthy relationships, build self-esteem, prevent STDs and can identify physical changes that occur during human development
    - Understands consequences of behaviors with respect to food choices, legal and illegal drugs and conflict resolution
    -Is competent in the President's Council of Physical fitness testing and exhibits adequate gross motor skills
    -Demonstrates an understanding of the rules of fair play and sportsmanship and participates in team play
  • Satisfactory
    - Can identify decisions that maintain healthy relationships, build self-esteem, prevent STDs and can identify physical changes that occur during human development
    -Can identify consequences of behavior with respect to food choices, legal and illegal drugs and conflict resolution
    -Participates in the President's Council of Physical fitness testing exhibiting basic gross motor skills
    -Participates as part of a team
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Cannot identify decisions that maintain healthy relationships, build self-esteem, prevents STDs or cannot identify physical changes that occur during human development
    -Cannot identify consequences of behavior with respect to food choices, legal and illegal drugs and conflict resolution
    - does not participate in the President's Council of Physical Fitness testing and does not exhibit gross motor skills
    -Cannot participate as an effective team member

10. utilizes current technologies and develops skills to adapt to today's rapidly changing technology and is able to:

  • understand and use current computer programs, equipment, tools, and processes to safely design and construct solutions to problems
  • communicate critical thinking in problem solving situations using available technologies
  • use the computer as a research tool

  • Excellent
    -Student is able to use technology to research, organize, analyze, synthesize and evaluate the information to solve a problem.
    -The student also uses a range of information retrieval and information processing technologies confidently and competently.
    Proficient
    -Student is able to use technology to identify, locate, gather, store, retrieve and process information from a range of sources to solve a problem.
    -Student is able to present alternative solutions to problems.
  • Satisfactory
    - Student is able to independently select the appropriate technology to solve a problem, utilize the technology with skill and accuracy, and present the solution logically and clearly.
  • Unsatisfactory
    -Student is unable to use technology to solve a problem without assistance.

12. acquires the skill necessary to develop lifelong habits of inquiry and learning and is able to:

  • successfully find, organize, and analyze data and information necessary to solve problems throughout life
  • conduct self-directed research
  • make informed decisions by researching a variety of resources

  • Excellent
    -Student identifies, locates, gathers, stores and processes information from a variety of sources and clearly, logically, concisely and accurately presents that information in a variety of formats, demonstrating an ability to identify, describe and interpret different points of view and distinguish among fact, opinion, and fallacy.
    -Student demonstrates ability to organize and analyze information and create a process to solve a problem.
  • Proficient
    -
    Student identifies, locates, gathers, stores and processes information from a variety of sources and clearly, logically, concisely and accurately presents that information in a variety of formats, demonstrating an ability to identify, describe and interpret different points of view and distinguish among fact, opinion, and fallacy.
  • Satisfactory
    -
    Student identifies, locates, gathers, stores and processes information from a variety of sources and clearly, logically, concisely and accurately presents that information
  • Unsatisfactory
    -
    Student gathers limited information and is only able to apply information to a new situation with assistance.

    * Additional goals set forth in our Mission Statement are not measureable through the use of Rubrics..

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