School Improvement in Maryland

Sample Item
Brief Constructed Response Item for Grade 3

Standard 6.0 Knowledge of Number Relationships and Computation/Arithmetic

Topic A. Knowledge of Number and Place Value

Indicator 2. Apply knowledge of fractions

Objective a. Read, write, and represent fractions as parts of a single region using symbols, words, and models

Assessment limit: Use fractions with denominators of 2, 3, or 4

Sharice is painting her bedroom. She wants to paint of one of the walls green.

Step A

Look at the pictures below. Chose and shade the model which will show .

Step B

Explain why your shaded picture represents . Use what you know about fractions in your explanation. Use words and/or numbers in your explanation.


Step A is scored 0 (Incorrect) or 1 (Correct) and assesses 6.A.2.a.
Step B is scored with a 3 point (0, 1, 2) rubric and assesses Processes of Mathematics.

Correct Answer
Step A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Rubric
Print: Scoring Rubric

Score 2

The response demonstrates a complete understanding and analysis of a problem.

  • Application of a reasonable strategy in the context of the problem is indicated.
  • Explanation1 of and/or justification2 for the mathematical process(es) used to solve a problem is clear, developed, and logical.
  • Connections and/or extensions made within mathematics or outside of mathematics are clear.
  • Supportive information and/or numbers are provided as appropriate. 3

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding and analysis of a problem.

  • Partial application of a strategy in the context of the problem is indicated.
  • Explanation1 of and/or justification2 for the mathematical process(es) used to solve a problem is partially developed, logically flawed, or missing.
  • Connections and/or extensions made within mathematics or outside of mathematics are partial or overly general, or flawed.
  • Supportive information and/or numbers may or may not be provided as appropriate.3

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the problem, or missing.4

Note 1:

Explanation refers to students' ability to communicate how they arrived at the solution for an item using the language of mathematics.

Note 2:

Justification refers to students' ability to support the reasoning used to solve a problem, or to demonstrate why the solution is correct using mathematical concepts and principles.

Note 3:

Students need to complete rubric criteria for explanation, justification, connections and/or extensions as cued for in a given problem.

Note 4:

Merely an exact copy or paraphrase of the problem will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: August 2003

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/share/assessment_items/xml/items/msa_math_3_013.xml