Cyberbullying and the First Amendment – Rubric

Required Steps 25 points

Criteria Description

Steps you are required to take that are consistent with state statutes, your district’s school board policies,

faculty handbook, and the student handbook

5. Target 25 points

Steps required for this situation are in a detailed outline with clear examples from state statutes, district’s

school board policies, faculty handbook, and the student handbook.

4. Acceptable 21.75 points

Steps required for this situation are clearly outlined with clear examples from state statutes, district’s

school board policies, faculty handbook, and the student handbook.

3. Approaching 19.75 points

Steps required for this situation are outlined with basic references regarding state statutes, district’s

school board policies, faculty handbook, and the student handbook.

2. Insufficient 18.5 points

Some steps required for this situation are outlined and are unclear. Not all entities are explored (regarding

state statutes, district’s school board policies, faculty handbook, and the student handbook).

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

No required steps are outlined. Essay does not include any information regarding state statutes, district’s

school board policies, faculty handbook, or the student handbook.

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Any First Amendment arguments you think the student with the Facebook page may raise. 20 points

Criteria Description

Any First Amendment arguments you think the student with the Facebook page may raise.

5. Target 20 points

Essay includes several potential arguments the student with the Facebook page may raise, presented

clearly with relevant resources.

4. Acceptable 17.4 points

Essay includes multiple potential arguments the student with the Facebook page may raise. Arguments are

clear.

3. Approaching 15.8 points

Essay includes a potential First Amendment argument the student with the Facebook page may raise. The

argument is somewhat vague.

2. Insufficient 14.8 points

Essay includes very little information about any First Amendment argument(s) from the student.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Essay does not include any First Amendment student argument(s) regarding the Facebook page.

Responses You Could Make to the First Amendment Arguments 25 points

Criteria Description

Responses you could make to the First Amendment arguments that are consistent with the cases in the

assigned readings.

5. Target 25 points

Essay includes several responses to potential arguments the student with the Facebook page may raise,

presented clearly with relevant resources to support claims.

4. Acceptable 21.75 points

Essay includes multiple responses to any potential arguments the student with the Facebook page may

raise. Response is clear.

3. Approaching 19.75 points

Essay includes a potential response to the First Amendment argument the student with the Facebook page

may raise. Response is somewhat vague.

2. Insufficient 18.5 points

Essay includes very little information about any responses to First Amendment argument(s) from the

student.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Thesis, Position, or Purpose 7 points

Criteria Description

Communicates reason for writing and demonstrates awareness of audience.

5. Target 7 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is persuasively developed throughout and skillfully directed to a specific

audience.

4. Acceptable 6.09 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is clearly communicated throughout and clearly directed to a specific

audience.

3. Approaching 5.53 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is adequately developed. An awareness of the appropriate audience is

demonstrated.

2. Insufficient 5.18 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is discernable in most aspects but is occasionally weak or unclear. There is

limited awareness of the appropriate audience.

Development, Structure, Conclusion and 500-750-word count 8 points

Criteria Description

Advances position or purpose throughout writing; conclusion aligns to and evolves from development. Essay

meets 500-750-word count.

5. Target 8 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is coherently and cohesively advanced throughout. The progression of

ideas is coherent and unified. A convincing and unambiguous conclusion aligns to the development of the

purpose. Minimum word count is met.

4. Acceptable 6.96 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is logically advanced throughout. The progression of ideas is coherent and

unified. A clear and plausible conclusion aligns to the development of the purpose. Minimum word count

is met.

3. Approaching 6.32 points

The thesis, position, or purpose is advanced in most aspects. Ideas clearly build on each other. Conclusion

aligns to the development of the purpose. Minimum word count is met.

2. Insufficient 5.92 points

Limited advancement of thesis, position, or purpose is discernable. There are inconsistencies in

organization or the relationship of ideas. Conclusion is simplistic and not fully aligned to the development

of the purpose. Minimum word count is not met.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Evidence 5 points

Criteria Description

Selects and integrates evidence to support and advance position/purpose; considers other perspectives.

5. Target 5 points

Comprehensive and compelling evidence is included. Multiple other perspectives are integrated

effectively.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Specific and appropriate evidence is included. Other perspectives are integrated.

3. Approaching 3.95 points

Relevant evidence that includes other perspectives is used.

2. Insufficient 3.7 points

Evidence is used but is insufficient or of limited relevance. Simplistic explanation or integration of other

perspectives is present.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Evidence to support the thesis, position, or purpose is absent. The writing relies entirely on the perspective

Mechanics of Writing 5 points

Criteria Description

Includes spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, language use, sentence structure, etc.

5. Target 5 points

No mechanical errors are present. Skilled control of language choice and sentence structure are used

throughout.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Few mechanical errors are present. Suitable language choice and sentence structure are used.

3. Approaching 3.95 points

Occasional mechanical errors are present. Language choice is generally appropriate. Varied sentence

structure is attempted.

2. Insufficient 3.7 points

Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors are present. Inconsistencies in language choice or sentence

structure are recurrent.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Errors in grammar or syntax are pervasive and impede meaning. Incorrect language choice or sentence

structure errors are found throughout.

Format/Documentation 5 points

Criteria Description

Uses appropriate style, such as APA, MLA, etc., for college, subject, and level; documents sources using

citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., appropriate to assignment and discipline. A minimum of

five sources are used.

5. Target 5 points

No errors in formatting or documentation are present. Selectivity in the use of direct quotations and

synthesis of sources is demonstrated. Minimum of five sources is met or exceeded.

4. Acceptable 4.35 points

Appropriate format and documentation are used with only minor errors. Minimum of five sources is met.

3. Approaching 3.95 points

Appropriate format and documentation are used, although there are some obvious errors. Minimum of five

sources is met.

2. Insufficient 3.7 points

Appropriate format is attempted, but some elements are missing. Frequent errors in documentation of

sources are evident. Minimum of five sources is not met.

1. Unsatisfactory 0 points

Appropriate format is not used No documentation of sources is provided No sources used Total 100 points