Smarter Balanced · 5 rubrics
Smarter Balanced Writing Rubrics (CAASPP and SBAC)
The Smarter Balanced ELA test ends with a performance task. Students read a small set of sources on one topic, answer a few research questions, and then write a full essay that uses those sources. California gives this test as CAASPP, and several other states give it under their own names.
Smarter Balanced rubrics on EasyClass
| Rubric | Grades | Task | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smarter Balanced Argumentative Writing Rubric: Grades 6–11 | Grades 6–11 | Argumentative · ELA performance task full write (argumentative essay) | 10 points · 3 criteria |
| Smarter Balanced Explanatory Writing Rubric: Grades 6–11 | Grades 6–11 | Explanatory · ELA performance task full write (explanatory essay) | 10 points · 3 criteria |
| Smarter Balanced Informational Writing Rubric: Grades 3–5 | Grades 3–5 | Informational/Explanatory · ELA performance task full write (informational essay) | 10 points · 3 criteria |
| Smarter Balanced Narrative Writing Rubric: Grades 3–8 | Grades 3–8 | Narrative · ELA performance task full write (narrative) | 10 points · 3 criteria |
| Smarter Balanced Opinion Writing Rubric: Grades 3–5 | Grades 3–5 | Opinion · ELA performance task full write (opinion essay) | 10 points · 3 criteria |
About the Smarter Balanced rubrics
The essay is scored with one of five rubrics, chosen by the type of writing: opinion (grades 3–5), informative/explanatory (grades 3–5), argumentative (grades 6–11), explanatory (grades 6–11) and narrative (grades 3–8). Every one has the same three traits: Organization/Purpose scored 0–4, Evidence/Elaboration scored 0–4 (Development/Elaboration for narrative) and Conventions scored 0–2, for 10 points.
Each page below shows one rubric in plain language, what separates a 3 from a 4, common scoring mistakes, a student checklist, feedback comments and a sample essay we wrote and scored. Every page links the official Smarter Balanced PDF.
What changed and what’s coming
- Responses that are blank, off topic, copied from the sources, or not in English get a no-score code instead of a 0. Each rubric page lists these conditions.
- Some states that once used Smarter Balanced, including Connecticut and Montana, no longer give the performance task essay. Check your state's current test before relying on these rubrics.
- EasyClass is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium or any state education agency.
Each page lists the official document it was checked against and the date. How we check rubrics.
Questions about the Smarter Balanced rubrics
Is the CAASPP writing rubric the same as the Smarter Balanced rubric?
Yes. California's CAASPP ELA test is the Smarter Balanced assessment, and the performance task essay is scored with the same five rubrics.
How many points is the Smarter Balanced essay worth?
Ten. Organization/Purpose and Evidence/Elaboration are each scored 0–4 and Conventions 0–2.
Which rubric does my grade use?
Grades 3–5 use the opinion or informative/explanatory rubric, grades 6–11 use the argumentative or explanatory rubric, and grades 3–8 can also get a narrative task. The task tells students which type of writing to produce.
Do students have to address counterclaims?
Only in grades 6–11. The argumentative rubric expects students to acknowledge and respond to opposing claims; the grades 3–5 opinion rubric does not.
Grade a stack of essays tonight.
Pick any rubric above, upload your students’ essays, and check every score before it goes back.