Mathematics Problem Solving Scoring Guide

Emerging Developing Proficient Exemplary

Conceptual 1. Your mathematical 1. Your choice of forms to 1. Your choices of mathematical 1. Your choice of mathematical
Understanding representations of the problem represent the problem was representations of the representations helped clarify
were incorrect. inefficient or inaccurate. problem were appropriate. the problem’s meaning.
2. You used the wrong information 2. You used some but not all of 2. You used all relevant 2. You uncovered hidden or
Key Question: Does
in trying to solve the problem. the relevant information from information from the problem implied information not
the student’s
3. The mathematical procedures the problem. in your solution. readily apparent.
interpretation of the
you used would not lead to a 3. The mathematical procedures you 3. The mathematical 3. You chose mathematical
problem using
correct solution. used would lead to a partially procedures you chose would procedures that would lead
mathematical
4. You used mathematical correct solution. lead to a correct solution. to an elegant solution.
representations and
terminology 4. You used mathematical 4. You used 4. You used
procedures
incorrectly. terminology imprecisely. mathematical mathematical
accurately reflect
terminology correctly. terminology precisely.
the important
mathematics in the
problem?

Strategies and 1. Your strategies were not 1. You used an 1. You chose appropriate, 1. You chose innovative and
oversimplified approach to
Reasoning appropriate for the efficient strategies for insightful strategies for solving
problem. the problem. solving the problem. the problem.
2. You didn’t seem to know where 2. You offered little or no 2. You justified each step of 2. You proved that your
Key Question: Is explanation of your strategies.
there evidence that to begin. your work. solution was correct and that
3. Your reasoning did not 3. Some of your representations 3. Your representation(s) fit your approach was valid.
the student accurately depicted aspects of
proceeded from a support your work. the task. 3. You provided examples
4. There was no apparent the problem. 4. The logic of your solution and/or counterexamples to
plan, applied 4. You sometimes made leaps in
appropriate relationship between your was apparent. support your solution.
representations and the your logic that were hard to 5. Your process would lead to 4. You used a sophisticated
strategies, and follow.
followed a logical task a complete, correct solution approach to solve the problem.
5. There was no apparent logic 5. Your process led to a of the problem.
and verifiable partially complete solution.
process toward a to your solution.
solution? 6. Your approach to the
problem would not lead to a
correct solution.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Mathematics and Science Education Center

 Emerging Developing Proficient Exemplary
Computation & 1. Errors in computation were 1. You made minor 1. Your computations 1. All aspects of your
Execution serious enough to flaw your computational errors. were essentially solution were completely
solution. 2. Your representations were accurate. accurate.
Key Question: 2. Your mathematical essentially correct but not accurately 2. All visual representations 2. You used multiple
Given the approach representations were inaccurate. or completely labeled. were complete and accurate. representations for verifying
taken by the student, 3. You labeled incorrectly. 3. Your inefficient choice of 3. Your solution was your solution.
is the solution 4. Your solution was incorrect. procedures impeded your success. essentially correct. 3. You showed multiple ways
performed in an 5. You gave no evidence of how 4. The evidence for your solution 4. Your work clearly to compute your answer.
accurate and you arrived at your answer. was inconsistent or unclear. supported your solution.
complete manner?

Communication 1. I couldn’t follow your thinking. 1. Your solution was hard to follow 1. I understood what you did 1. Your explanation was clear
2. Your explanation seemed in places. and why you did it. and concise.
Key Question: Was to ramble. 2. I had to make inferences about 2. Your solution was well 2. You communicated
I able to easily 3. You gave no explanation for what you meant in places. organized and easy to concepts with precision.
understand the your work. 3. You weren’t able to sustain follow. 3. Your mathematical
student’s thinking 4. You did not seem to have a your good beginning. 3. Your solution flowed representations expanded
or did I have to sense of what your audience 4. Your explanation was redundant logically from one step to the on your solution.
make inferences needed to know. in places. next. 4. You gave an in-depth
and guesses about 5. Your mathematical 5. Your mathematical representations 4. You used an effective explanation of your reasoning.
what they were representations did not help were somewhat helpful in format for communicating.
trying to do? clarify your thinking. clarifying your thinking. 5. Your mathematical
representations helped
clarify your solution.

© 2000
http://www.nwrel.org/
Insights 1. You were unable to 1. You recognized some patterns 1. You recognized important 1. You created a general rule
recognize patterns and and relationships. patterns and relationships or formula for solving
Key Question: Does relationships. 2. You found multiple solutions but in the problem. related problems.
the student grasp 2. You found a solution and not all were correct. 2. You found multiple solutions 2. You related the
the deeper structure then stopped. 3. Your solution hinted at a using different interpretations underlying structure of the
of the problem and 3. You found no connections to connection to an application or of the problem. problem to other similar
see how the process other disciplines or another area of mathematics. 3. You connected your problems.
used to solve this mathematical concepts. solution process to other 3. You noted possible sources
problem connects it problems, areas of of error or ambiguity in the
to other problems mathematics or applications. problem.
or “real-world” 4. Your connection to a real-
applications? life application was accurate
and realistic.

© 2000
http://www.nwrel.org/