Texas TELPAS Four-Point Writing Rubric for Grades 2-3

Generally uses a variety and range of grade-appropriate academic and social language; Mainly uses precise vocabulary and the right word(s) for the task; Contains infrequent spelling errors that do not interfere with comprehensibility, similar to those made by native English-speaking peers; Generally shows the ability to correctly use both simple and complex tenses; Contains some expanded compound and/or complex sentences; Contains grammar and/or usage that is generally correct and comparable to that of grade-level native English-speaking peers; May include infrequent grammar and/or usage errors, which do not interfere with comprehensibility; Generally includes grade-appropriate words, phrases, and/or clauses needed to sequence events and compare or connect ideas; Narrates, describes, or explains in detail, comparable to grade-level native English-speaking peers.

Contains a moderate variety and range of grade-appropriate social language; may show a struggle to use vocabulary that is academic or newly introduced; May include some vocabulary that is precise; may not always include the right word(s) for the task; Contains occasional spelling errors that may sometimes interfere with comprehensibility; spelling errors may represent slight interference from native language; May contain mostly simple sentences, but shows the ability to use simple tenses successfully and a developing ability to use compound and/or complex tenses; May include some grammar and/or usage errors which do not significantly interfere with comprehensibility; Includes some grade-appropriate words and phrases needed to sequence events and compare or connect ideas, but inconsistently and with some repetition or unnaturalness; Narrates, describes, or explains in some detail with emerging clarity of intended message.

Contains vocabulary that is repetitive or limited in range and variety; May include circumlocution in place of an unknown word or show a struggle to use words correctly; Contains some spelling errors that are not typical of grade-level English-speaking peers and that may interfere with comprehensibility; spelling errors may reflect some borrowing from the native language; Contains mostly simple sentences using present tense; other tenses used inconsistently or inaccurately; Includes frequent grammar and/or usage errors that do not significantly interfere with comprehensibility; errors represent some interference from the native language; May include limited or repetitive use of words and phrases needed to sequence events and compare or connect ideas; Narrates, describes, or explains with few details; lacks language to communicate intended message in more than a limited way.

May contain some high-frequency or routine words and phrases; May include vocabulary from the student's native language; Contains widespread spelling errors that are not typical of grade-level native English-speaking peers and that significantly interfere with comprehensibility even with common, high-frequency words; spelling errors may reflect frequent borrowing from the student's native language; May contain some simple sentences using present tense or memorized past tense verbs but with errors and inaccuracies; Includes significant grammar and/or usage errors that interfere with comprehensibility; May copy the prompt or contain no English.