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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System
Scoring Guides for MCAS English Language Arts Composition
Student compositions that do not address the writing prompt will be deemed non-scorable (NS), earning them a 0 out of a possible 12 points for topic development and 0 out of a possible 8 points for standard English conventions. Refer to Off-Topic Compositions on MCAS English Language Arts Tests memo.
Scoring Guide for Topic/Idea Development
| Score | Description |
|---|
| 6 |
- Rich topic/idea development
- Careful and/or subtle organization
- Effective/rich use of language
|
| 5 |
- Full topic/idea development
- Logical organization
- Strong details
- Appropriate use of language
|
| 4 |
- Moderate topic/idea development and organization
- Adequate, relevant details
- Some variety in language
|
| 3 |
- Rudimentary topic/idea development and/or organization
- Basic supporting details
- Simplistic language
|
| 2 |
- Limited or weak topic/idea development, organization, and/or details
- Limited awareness of audience and/or task
|
| 1 |
- Little topic/idea development, organization, and/or details
- Little or no awareness of audience and/or task
|
Scoring Guide for Standard English Conventions
| Score | Description |
|---|
| 4 |
- Control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics (length and complexity of essay provide opportunity for student to show control of standard English conventions)
|
| 3 |
- Errors do not interfere with communication and/or
- Few errors relative to length of essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics
|
| 2 |
- Errors interfere somewhat with communication and/or
- Too many errors relative to the length of the essay or complexity of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics
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| 1 |
- Errors seriously interfere with communication AND
- Little control of sentence structure, grammar and usage, and mechanics
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Last Updated: April 13, 2009
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