Test Specifications
Contents
Language Arts Literacy

Writing

New Jersey Registered Holistic Scoring Rubric (Modified For ESPA) - p. 23

In Scoring, consider the grid of  written  language	Inadequate Command	Limited Command	Partial Command	Adequate Command	Strong Command
Score	1	2	3	4	5
Content & Organization	May lack opening and/or closing	May lack opening and/or closing	May lack opening and/or closing	Generally has opening and/ or closing	Opening and closing
.	Minimal response to topic; uncertain focus	Attempts to focus May drift or shift focus	Usually has single focus	Single focus	Single focus Sense of unity and coherence Key ideas developed
.	No planning evident: disorganized	Attempts organization Few, if any, transactions between ideas	Some lapses or flaws in organization May lack some transactions between ideas	Ideas loosely connected Transition evident	Logical progression of ideas Moderately fluent Attempts compositional risks
.	Details random, inappropriate, or barely apparent	Details lack elaboration, i.e., highlight paper	Repetitious details Several unelaborated details	Uneven development of details	Details appropriate and varied
Usage	No apparent control Severe/numerous errors	Numerous errors	Errors/ patterns of errors may be evident	Some errors that do not interfere with meaning	Few errors
Sentence Construction	Assortment of incomplete and/or incorrect sentences	Excessive monotony/same structure Numerous errors	Little variety in syntax Some errors	Some variety Generally correct	Variety in syntax appropriate and effective  Few errors
Mechanics	Errors so severe they detract from meaning	Numerous serious errors	Patterns of errors evident	No consistent pattern of errors Some errors that do not interfere with meaning	Few errors

Content & Organization	Usage	Sentence Construction	Mechanics
Communicates intended message to intended audience Relates to topic Opening and closing Focused Logical progression of ideas Transitions Appropriate details and information	Tense formation Subject-verb agreement Pronouns usage/agreement Word choice/meaning Proper modifiers	Variety of type, structure, and length Correct construction	Spelling Capitalization Punctuation

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