Smarter Balanced writing rubrics
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium publishes 5 Smarter Balanced performance task writing rubrics, covering argumentative, explanatory, informational, narrative and opinion writing at grades 3 to 11. All 5 are on this page with their criteria and point values, and each one links to the official document.
Also searched as SBAC writing rubric and Smarter Balanced performance task rubric. Every rubric on this page is reproduced in full, every performance level written out, with a link to the official document.
Every Smarter Balanced performance task writing rubric
Grades 3-5 · Grades 3-8 · Grades 6-11
- Smarter Balanced Informational Performance Task Writing Rubric (Grades 3-5)Grades 3-510 points3 criteriaPDF, 3 pp
- Smarter Balanced Narrative Performance Task Writing Rubric (Grades 3-8)Grades 3-810 points3 criteriaPDF, 3 pp
- Smarter Balanced Opinion Performance Task Writing Rubric (Grades 3-5)Grades 3-510 points3 criteriaPDF, 3 pp
- Smarter Balanced Argumentative Performance Task Writing Rubric (Grades 6-11)Grades 6-1110 points3 criteriaPDF, 3 pp
- Smarter Balanced Explanatory Performance Task Writing Rubric (Grades 6-11)Grades 6-1110 points3 criteriaPDF, 3 pp
Score an essay against any of these
All 5 Smarter Balanced performance task rubrics are built into the essay grader. Upload an essay, typed or handwritten, and get a score on every criterion with the reasoning written out. You can change any score before it goes back to the student.
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Common questions
How many Smarter Balanced performance task writing rubrics are there?
5, covering grades 3 to 11. All 5 are scored out of 10 points. Every one is listed on this page.
Who publishes the Smarter Balanced performance task writing rubrics?
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Each rubric on this page links to the official document it came from. Rubrics are revised periodically, so check the source before using one for a graded assessment.
Are the Smarter Balanced performance task writing rubrics free to download?
Yes. Every rubric here is free to read and free to print, with no account and no email. The PDFs are US Letter, black and white, with a blank scoring sheet at the end.
Can NudgeLearn grade essays against a Smarter Balanced performance task rubric?
Yes. All 5 are built into the NudgeLearn essay grader. Upload an essay, typed or handwritten, and it comes back with a score on every criterion and the reasoning written out. The teacher stays the grader: review it and change any score before it goes back to the student. A free account covers 20 essays.