What are the benchmarks in the Writing and Speaking Scoring Guides? How are they different from the samples?
The benchmarks are the “exemplars” or “anchor” responses. They were chosen during range finding as being representative of the score point on the scale. The teacher evaluates a student’s work for its total or overall effect based on the rubric and the benchmark “exemplar” responses. The samples are additional student work at the score points. A sample paper does not have the score readily available. The teacher can score the sample paper for practice and then find out the score.
