STEP 2 Scoring Rubric

Specific Criteria for Acceptable Performance

Dimension

0=Unacceptable
(0% to 40% of available points)

Poor
(40% to 65% of available points)
Fair
(65% to 85% of available points)

Good
(85% to 100% of available points)

Points

Content
(5 points)

No overview provided. Non-concise, rambling overview; not a complete overview. Concise and accurate overview; explains major topics that will be addressed; provides information about skills and dispositions, as well as course and students to be taught.
Concise and accurate overview; explains major topics that will be addressed, including skills and dispositions; mentions unifying concepts, issues, and technology; provides broad goal statements in relation to Learning Standards
 
Rationale
(5 points)
No rationale provided. Only weakly explains the relevance of the subject matter to the needs of the students. Explains the relevance of the subject matter to the needs and interests of the students, and also relates it to the larger framework of human endeavor and understanding. Explains the relevance of the subject matter to the needs and interests of the students, and also relates it to the larger framework of human endeavor and understanding; provides a rationale for process skills and dispositions chosen to teach or promote.  
Alternative
Conceptions
(5 points)
Little to no consideration for alternative conceptions; no references. Lists only a very limited array of students' alternative conceptions known to exist within topic area. Limited references. Lists a wide variety of preconceptions and misconceptions that students have in relation to subject matter of unit. Clearly referenced. Lists a wide variety of preconceptions and misconceptions that students have in relation to subject matter of unit, plus links various alternative conceptions to specific classroom activities. Clearly referenced.  

Objectives, Activities, and Assessments
(70 points)

Little or no consideration of the social context. Provides a list of community resources that could be integrated into instruction. Explains hypothetically how one might use human and institutional resources in the intended community to advance the education of students in science. Acceptable plus provides substantive detail about how one or more human resources from within the community can be employed to engage students in learning.  
Metacognitive Practices
(5 points)
No consideration given for metacognitive practices at all; provides no examples. Plan for metacognitive practices is limited only to specific situations; provides three or fewer examples. Plan for metacognitive practices infuses student self-assessment and self-regulation throughout unit. Provides five examples. Plan for metacognitive practices infuses student self-assessment and self-regulation throughout unit. Provides five examples, plus includes innovative approaches to get students actually doing the work of metacognition.  
Classroom Environment
(5 points)
No consideration given for classroom environment, or shows clear lack of understanding. A very inadequate understanding of the need for or procedures associated with classroom environment. A faulty understanding of the four classroom environments mandated by the NSES, little to no concern shown for the role of climate setting in relation to inquiry. Clear statement of the meaning of the four classroom environments mandated by the NSES, as well as good accounting for climate setting to offset student concerns about inquiry.  
Safety
Concerns
(5 points)
Little to no consideration given to safety concerns. Some safety concerns identified, but no information provided about how to help ensure student safety. Includes partial summary of all substantive safety concerns related to subject matter of unit; notes potential sources of harm, and ways to mitigate harm should a hazardous activity be included in unit.
Includes complete summary of all substantive safety concerns related to subject matter of unit; notes potential sources of harm, and ways to mitigate harm should a hazardous activity be included in unit.
 

Total points out of 100 available:

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