How are the writing assessments scored, what rubric is used?
We do not publish marking rubrics as such. ISA markers work with a highly detailed rubric and accompanying sample scripts and the scoring guides are not available for individual schools. The report forms carry summary descriptors that relate exactly to the scoring rubric. The results are reported with descriptive information about what the figures mean, both in terms of a ‘described proficiency scale’ (a general description of the level of achievement for each of mathematical literacy, reading and writing), and a detailed description of the skills tested and achieved for each question in math and reading, and for each of the component scores in writing. The marking guides/rubrics/rating scales developed for the ISA writing are the result of over 20 years of theoretical and empirical research into writing assessment at ACER and elsewhere. They are based on the principles of developmental assessment, which conceives of the student as developing in each different area of learning along an
