Standards-Based Math Rubric
Problem Solving Reasoning and Proof
No strategy is chosen, or a
Novice strategy is chosen that will
not lead to a solution.
Little or no evidence of
engagement in the task is
present.
A partially correct strategy
Apprentice is chosen, or a correct strat-
egy for only solving part of
the task is chosen.
Evidence of drawing on
some relevant previous
knowledge is present,
showing some relevant
engagement in the task.
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Communication Connections Representation
Arguments are made with No awareness of audience or No connections are No attempt is made to
no mathematical basis. purpose is communicated. made or connections are construct a mathemat-
mathematically or con- ical representation.
No correct reasoning nor No formal mathematical terms textually irrelevant.
justification for reasoning is or symbolic notations are
present. evident.
Arguments are made with Some awareness of audience or A mathematical connec- An attempt is made to
some mathematical basis. purpose is communicated. tion is attempted but construct a mathemat-
is partially incorrect or ical representation to
Some correct reasoning or Some communication of an lacks contextual rel- record and communi-
justification for reasoning is approach is evident through evance. cate problem solving
present. verbal/written accounts and but is not accurate.
explanations.
An attempt is made to use
formal math language. One
formal math term or symbolic
notation is evident.
Copyright ©2001, revised 2016 by Exemplars, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Standards-Based Math Rubric (Cont.)
Problem Solving Reasoning and Proof Communication Connections Representation
A correct strategy is cho- Arguments are construct- A sense of audience or pur- A mathematical connection An appropriate and
Practitioner sen based on the math- ed with adequate math- pose is communicated. is made. Proper contexts are accurate mathemati-
ematical situation in the ematical basis. identified that link both the cal representation(s) is
task. Communication of an ap- mathematics and the situation constructed and refined
A systematic approach proach is evident through a in the task. to solve problems or
Planning or monitoring of and/or justification of methodical, organized, coher- portray solutions.
strategy is evident. correct reasoning is pres- ent, sequenced and labeled Some examples may include
ent. response. one or more of the following:
Evidence of solidifying • clarification of the mathe-
prior knowledge and Formal math language is used matical or situational context
applying it to the to share and clarify ideas. At of the task
problem-solving situation least two formal math terms or • exploration of mathematical
is present. symbolic notations are evi- phenomenon in the context
dent, in any combination. of the broader topic in which
Note: The Practitioner must the task is situated
achieve a correct answer. • noting patterns, structures
and regularities
An efficient strategy is Deductive arguments are A sense of audience and pur- Mathematical connections are An appropri-
Expert chosen and progress used to justify decisions pose is communicated. used to extend the solution ate mathematical
towards a solution is and may result in formal to other mathematics or to a representation(s) is
evaluated. proofs. Communication at the Prac- deeper understanding of the constructed to analyze
titioner level is achieved, and mathematics in the task. relationships, extend
Adjustments in strategy, if Evidence is used to justify communication of argument thinking and clarify or
necessary, are made along and support decisions is supported by mathematical Some examples may include interpret phenomenon.
the way, and/or alterna- made and conclusions properties. one or more of the following:
tive strategies are consid- reached. • testing and accepting or
ered. Formal math language and rejecting of a hypothesis or
symbolic notation is used to conjecture
Evidence of analyzing the consolidate math thinking • explanation of phenom-
situation in mathematical and to communicate ideas. At enon
terms and extending prior least one of the math terms or • generalizing and extending
knowledge is present. symbolic notations is beyond the solution to other cases
grade level.
Note: The Expert must achieve a
correct answer.

www.exemplars.com Copyright ©2001, revised 2016 by Exemplars, Inc. All rights reserved.