TEA STAAR ECR Student Rubric

Breaking down the TEA STAAR ECR Rubric into small chunks helps a teacher know exactly what to look for when reading students’ written responses. However, it is equally important to break down the TEA rubric so that students can confidently understand their expectations before, during, and after they have poured themselves in to a written creation.

This download contains an ECR content rubric for grades 3-8. It is broken down and designed to be simplistic in nature. The concepts and vocabulary from the state rubric are broken down into student language.

You will notice that each concept is divided by dashed lines and into three levels of completion. To use this approach effectively, it is best to utilize page 2 of the document where there are not additional grading boxes at the bottom. 

The following sections are graded:

• A controlling charge
• A thesis statement
• Idea development
• Textual evidence usage
• Textual evidence sided
• Inferencing and explanation
• Conclusion
• Vocabulary usage

Each of the above components receives a 0 if that skill is not observed in the composition or a 1, if it is observed in the composition. This makes for an easy Yes/No approach for students to easily understand their accomplishments. 

Notice that each of the columns are divided by dashed lines. This allows for this rubric to be cut apart by the student. The uniqueness of the graduated rubric is so that students can choose which columns they would like graded for which compositions.

It is recommended that all eight of the columns are cut apart and placed in a baggie for the student. As a student completes extended constructed responses, they can choose which columns they would like to turn in to be graded for that particular response.

Over the course of several compositions, the students will turn in all eight columns. Once a particular column has been turned in, that column has been utilized on that composition and cannot be used again. This allows for students to know where their strength are and focus on one thing at a time.

The teacher then has the option of adding all the columns together to arrive at a holistic score, as well as a gradebook score. A second option for grading, is if the teacher would like to use one column at a time and achieve a holistic score of a 0, 1, 2, or 3 for each column. 

A third way that this rubric is effective is when it is used in its entirety for one ECR composition. When this approach is taken, none of the columns need to be cut apart, and they can simply all be used together. When they are used together, it is best to use page 1 that also has the grading breakdown at the bottom half of the page.

Notice when using this page, you do have the opportunity to highlight the best attribute and the one area of improvement for each student.

We do utilize certain vocabulary that is introduced and thoroughly explained in our ECR training. Our training allows for the full benefits of this rubric to shine through, but it is not necessary in order to use this rubric. 

The primary focus of this rubric is for the student to utilize and understand where their writing is wonderful, and where their writing can improve. If you are interested in the teacher version of this rubric, it can also be found in the same category on our store. 

For the most thorough understanding of the rubrics, a Teach BIG ECR training is highly suggested for teachers and a student camp is highly suggested for students. If you are interested in either one of these learning avenues, please reach out to us at 281-549-4466. See you soon.