SAMPLE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Performance Assessments evaluate learning.  The assessment should be closely linked to immediately pasted learning experiences but require the student to use prior knowledge to solve a problem, develop a task or write a solution.  In each case, the student's work is judged by a rubric, the same standard and criteria for all.  In this example, it is assumed that the students have been studying important contributions of women and ethnic and racial minorities to the development of Maryland and the US.  The indicator for the learning is directly from the MSPAP Social Studies Curriculum People of the Nation and World, Grades 4-5, Indicator #2.

Link to the site: http:www.greatwomen.org/grtwmn.htm

Part One
Choose a great woman, then answer the question, "Why did you choose this woman?"
Your answer should include one reason for your choice and two facts about the woman you chose.

Part Two
Develop a Personal History Timeline that includes at least 5 signficant events.  Using either Google or AskJeeves search engines, find additional links and information to complete your timelines.

Describe why each event is significant in two sentences or less.

An example timeline can be found here

Part Three

Design a brochure about your selection.  The brochure should include a picture, at least two paragraphs about the woman, and at least two Internet links for further information.

An example brochure can be found here

Part One Rubric

1 point--chooses woman
2 points--answers question, "Why did you choose this woman?"
3 points--includes two facts about woman selected
4 points--uses complete sentences, all words spelled correctly, answers demonstrate quality (teacher judgement)

Part Two Rubric

1 point--timeline drawn in horizontal fashion, includes one event
2 points--two events included, evidence of search engines used
3 points--5 events included
4 points--all five events include rationales

Part Three Rubric

1 point--discernible brochure with picture of woman
2 points--incorporates timeline events into brochure
3 points--includes 2 additional Internet links for further reference
4 points--text is error free, uses complete sentences, demonstrates quality (teacher judgement)