Rubric

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Final Project
Final Project
Criteria Ratings
Sources and Evidence
Capstone
Demonstrates skillful use of high-quality, credible, relevant sources to develop ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing.
Milestone 2
Demonstrates consistent use of credible, relevant sources to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.
Milestone 1
Demonstrates an attempt to use credible and/or relevant sources to support ideas that are appropriate for the discipline and genre of the writing.
Benchmark
Demonstrates an attempt to use sources to support ideas in writing.
Use Information Effectively to Accomplish a Specific Purpose
Capstone
Communicates, organizes, and synthesizes information from sources to fully achieve a specific purpose with clarity and depth.
Milestone 2
Communicates, organizes, and synthesizes information from sources. Intended purpose is achieved.
Milestone 1
Communicates and organizes information from sources. The information is not yet synthesized, so the intended purpose is not fully achieved.
Benchmark
Communicates information from sources. The information is fragmented and/or used inappropriately (misquoted, taken out of context, or incorrectly paraphrased, etc.), so the intended purpose is not achieved.
Existing Knowledge, Research, and/or Views
Capstone
Synthesizes in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches.
Milestone 2
Presents in-depth information from relevant sources representing various points of view/approaches.
Milestone 1
Presents information from relevant sources representing limited points of view/approaches.
Benchmark
Presents information from irrelevant sources representing limited points of view/approaches.
Analysis of Knowledge
Capstone
Connects and extends knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from one's own academic study/field/discipline to civic engagement and to one's own participation in civic life, politics, and government.
Milestone 2
Analyzes knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from one's own academic study/field/discipline making relevant connections to civic engagement and to one's own participation in civic life, politics, and government.
Milestone 1
Begins to connect knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from one's own academic study/field/discipline to civic engagement and to tone's own participation in civic life, politics, and government.
Benchmark
Begins to identify knowledge (facts, theories, etc.) from one's own academic study/field/discipline that is relevant to civic engagement and to one's own participation in civic life, politics, and government.
Conclusions
Capstone
Conclusions and related outcomes (consequences and implications) are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.
Milestone 2
Conclusion is logically tied to a range of information, including opposing viewpoints; related outcomes (consequences and implications) are identified clearly.
Milestone 1
Conclusion is logically tied to information (because information is chosen to fit the desired conclusion); some related outcomes (consequences and implications) are identified clearly.
Benchmark
Conclusion is inconsistently tied to some of the information discussed; related outcomes (consequences and implications) are oversimplified.
Embracing Contradictions
Capstone
Integrates alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas fully.
Milestone 2
Incorporates alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas in an exploratory way.
Milestone 1
Includes (recognizes the value of) alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas in a small way.
Benchmark
Acknowledges (mentions in passing) alternate, divergent, or contradictory perspectives or ideas.
Innovative Thinking
Capstone
Extends a novel or unique idea, question, format, or product to create new knowledge or knowledge that crosses boundaries.
Milestone 2
Creates a novel or unique idea, question, format, or product.
Milestone 1
Experiments with creating a novel or unique idea, question, format, or product.
Benchmark
Reformulates a collection of available ideas.
Civic Identity and Commitment
Capstone
Provides evidence of experience in civic-engagement activities and describes what she/he has learned about her or himself as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity and continued commitment to public action.
Milestone 2
Provides evidence of experience in civic-engagement activities and describes what she/he has learned about her or himself as it relates to a growing sense of civic identity and commitment.
Milestone 1
Evidence suggests involvement in civic-engagement activities is generated from expectations or course requirements rather than from a sense of civic identity.
Benchmark
Provides little evidence of her/his experience in civic-engagement activities and does not connect experiences to civic identity.
Reflection and Self-Assessment
Capstone
Envisions a future self (and possibly makes plans that build on past experiences that have occurred across multiple and diverse contexts).
Milestone 2
Evaluates changes in own learning over time, recognizing complex contextual factors (e.g., works with ambiguity and risk, deals with frustration, considers ethical frameworks).
Milestone 1
Articulates strengths and challenges (within specific performances or events) to increase effectiveness in different contexts (through increased self-awareness).
Benchmark
Describes own performances with general descriptors of success and failure.
Control of Syntax and Mechanics
Capstone
Uses graceful language that skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free.
Milestone 2
Uses straightforward language that generally conveys meaning to readers. The language in the project has few errors.
Milestone 1
Uses language that generally conveys meaning to readers with clarity, although writing may include some errors.
Benchmark
Uses language that sometimes impedes meaning because of errors in usage.