ALGEBRA
STANDARDS BASED RUBRIC
Revised July 2003
Essential Standard:
IDENTIFY AND USE MATH OPERATIONS AND PROPERTIES OVER REAL NUMBERS, MONOMIALS AND POLYNOMIALS.
First Semester: Benchmarks
FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
 Unable to accurately manipulate
expressions using addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
division of rational and irrational
numbers.
 Unable to use numerical
properties, including associative,
commutative and distributive.
 Unable to use exponents, roots,
and operations, including taking
the opposite and finding the
reciprocal.



BASIC
Able to manipulate expressions
using addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division of
rational and irrational numbers
with assistance.
Inconsistent use of numerical
properties, including associative,
commutative and distributive.
Uses exponents, roots, and
operations, including taking the
opposite and finding the
reciprocal with assistance.



PROFICIENT
Accurately manipulates
expressions using addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
division of rational and irrational
numbers.
Uses numerical properties,
including associative,
commutative and distributive.
Uses exponents, roots, and
operations, including taking the
opposite and finding the
reciprocal.



ADVANCED
Solves complex word problems
justifying and judging the validity
of their response.
Justifies use of the numerical
properties, including associative,
commutative and distributive.
Justifies the use of exponents,
roots, and operations, including
taking the opposite and finding
the reciprocal.
Essential Standard:
APPLY APPROPRIATE MATHEMATICAL PROCEDURES TO SOLVE REAL-LIFE PROBLEMS.
First Semester: Benchmarks


FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
Unable to simplify expressions
before solving equations and
inequalities in one variable.

Unable to set up and solve
word problems.

BASIC
Simplifies expressions before
solving equations and
inequalities in one variable
with assistance.
Able to set up and solve word
problems with assistance.


PROFICIENT
Simplifies expressions before
correctly solving equations and
inequalities in one variable.
Solves word problems,
including those involving rate).


ADVANCED
Justifies the steps in simplifying
expressions before correctly
solving equations and
inequalities.
Fully explains the solution and is
able to create and solve word
problems.
Essential Standard:
WRITE, SOLVE, AND GRAPH EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE.
First Semester: Benchmarks
FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
 Unable to determine whether a

BASIC
Shows little ability to determine

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PROFICIENT
Determines whether a value is a

ADVANCED
Determines whether a value is a
1
value is a solution for an equation
or an inequality and if it lies on
the graph of a linear equation.

Unable to solve linear equations
and inequalities using multiple
transformations.


Unable to solve absolute value
equations and inequalities.


Unable to graph linear equations
and identify x- and y- intercepts.


Unable to identify, calculate, and
define slope.
Unable to graph linear
inequalities.
Unable to graph absolute value
equations.


Unable to identify slopes of
parallel and perpendicular lines.


Unable to derive linear equations
by using point-slope formula.





whether a value is a solution for
an equation or an inequality and
if it lies on the graph of a linear
equation.
Shows little ability to solve linear
equations and inequalities using
multiple transformations.
solution for an equation or an
inequality and if it lies on the
graph of a linear equation.
solution for an equation or an
inequality in a real-life
application.

Solves linear equations and
inequalities using multiple
transformations.

Shows little ability to solve
absolute value equations and
inequalities.
Shows little ability to graph linear
equations and identify x and y
intercepts.
Shows little ability to identify,
calculate, and define slope.
Shows little ability to graph linear
inequalities.
Shows little ability to graph
absolute value equations.

Solves absolute value equations
and inequalities.


Graphs linear equations and
identifies x- and y- intercepts.



Identifies, calculates, and defines
slope.
Graphs linear inequalities.

Graphs absolute value equations.

Shows little ability to identify
slopes of parallel and
perpendicular lines.
Shows little ability to derive
linear equations by using pointslope formula.

Identifies slopes of parallel and
perpendicular lines.


Derives linear equations by using
point-slope formula.




Solves linear equations and
inequalities using multiple
transformations to a real-life
application.
Solves absolute value equations
and inequalities in real-life
applications.
Interprets linear equations, slope,
and x- and y- intercepts.
Interprets linear inequalities.
Interprets slope in a real life
word problem.
Graphs and interprets linear
inequalities.
Graphs, interprets, and solves
word problems involving absolute
value.
Identifies if two given equations
result in parallel or perpendicular
lines.
Derives the equation of a line
parallel or perpendicular to a
given line through a given point.
Essential Standard
IDENTIFY AND USE MATH OPERATIONS AND PROPERTIES OVER REAL NUMBERS, MONOMIALS AND POLYNOMIALS
End of Year: Benchmarks
8-18-04
2

FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
Unable to manipulate rules of
exponents and roots, including
negative and zero exponents.


Unable to add, subtract,
multiply, and/or divide monomial
and polynomial expressions.


Unable to factor monomials,
polynomials (including
quadratics), and the difference of
square roots. Does not recognize
perfect squares of binomials.


Unable to simplify fractions with
polynomials in the numerator and
denominator by factoring and
reducing to lowest terms.


Unable to add, subtract,
multiply, and divide rational
expressions and functions.

BASIC
Manipulates rules of exponents
and roots, including negative and
zero exponents with assistance.

PROFICIENT
Applies rules of exponents and
roots, including negative and zero
exponents.

Adds, subtracts, multiplies,
and/or divides monomial and
polynomial expressions with
assistance.
Factors monomials, polynomials
(including quadratics), and the
difference of square roots with
assistance. Recognizes perfect
squares of binomials.

Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and
divides monomial and polynomial
expressions.



Simplifies fractions with
polynomials in the numerator and
denominator by factoring and
reducing to lowest terms with
assistance.
Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and
divides rational expressions and
functions with assistance.

Applies basic factoring techniques
to second- and simple thirddegree polynomials (quadratics,
the difference of square roots,
and perfect squares of
binomials).
Simplifies fractions with
polynomials in the numerator and
denominator by factoring and
reducing to lowest terms.
Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and
divides rational expressions and
functions.



ADVANCED
Extends the application of the
rules of exponents and roots,
including negative and zero
exponents, to polynomials.
Uses addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of
monomials and polynomials to
solve word problems.
Applies basic factoring techniques
to higher-degree polynomials.
Simplifies fractions with
advanced polynomials in the
numerator and denominator by
factoring and reducing to lowest
terms.
Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and
divides rational expressions and
solves functions.
Essential Standard:
APPLY APPROPRIATE MATHEMATICAL PROCEDURES TO SOLVE REAL-LIFE PROBLEMS.
End of Year: Benchmarks
FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
 Unable to use addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division of monomials and
polynomials to solve multi-step
equations, including word
problems.
 Unable to write, solve, and
interpret problems.

Unable to solve quadratic
equations and physical word
problems. (i.e. motion of an
object under the force of gravity.)



BASIC
Shows limited ability to use
addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of
monomials and polynomials to
solve multi-step equations,
including word problems.
Able to use formulas to solve
problems, but unable to write the
equation for the problem.
Solves quadratic equations or
physical word problems with
assistance. (i.e. motion of an
object under the force of
gravity.)

PROFICIENT
Uses addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of
monomials and polynomials to
solve multi-step equations,
including word problems.


Writes and solves equations for word
problems (e.g., mixture and work
problems, compound interest, and
distance).


Solves quadratic equations and
physical word problems. (i.e.
motion of an object under the
force of gravity.)

8-18-04
ADVANCED
Justifies the use of addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division of monomials and
polynomials to solve multi-step
equations, including word
problems.
Creates, solves, and explains
solutions to real-life problems.
Solves challenging quadratic
equations and physical word
problems.
3
Essential Standard:
STUDENTS WRITE, SOLVE, AND GRAPH EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING ABSOLUTE VALUE.
End of ear: Benchmarks
FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
 Unable to solve a system of two
linear equations algebraically and
interpret the answer graphically.

Unable to solve a system of two
linear inequalities in two
variables and interpret the
answer graphically.
Unable to solve quadratic
equations by factoring and/or
completing the square.
Unable to use addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division of monomials and
polynomials to solve challenging
rational equations.
Unable to determine the domain
and range of a function using a
graph, a set of ordered pairs, or a
symbolic expression.


Unable to determine functions
given graphs, sets of ordered
pairs, or symbolic expressions.


Unable to recognize and solve
equations using the quadratic
formula.
Unable to use the quadratic
formula to find the roots of
second-degree equations.
Unable to graph quadratic
equations and inequalities,
determine whether the equation
is a function, and recognize that
the roots of the quadratic are the
x-intercepts.












BASIC
Solves a system of two linear
equations algebraically and
interprets the answer graphically
with assistance.
Solves a system of two linear
inequalities in two variables and
interprets the answer graphically
with assistance.
Solves quadratic equations by
factoring and/or completing the
square with assistance.
Uses addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of
monomials and polynomials to
solve challenging rational
equations with assistance.
Determines the domain and range
of a function using a graph, a set
of ordered pairs, or a symbolic
expression with assistance.
Determines functions given
graphs, sets of ordered pairs, or
symbolic expressions with
assistance.
Recognizes and solves equations
using the quadratic formula with
assistance.
Uses the quadratic formula to
find the roots of second-degree
equations with assistance.
Graphs quadratic equations and
inequalities, determines whether
the equation is a function, and
recognizes that the roots of the
quadratic are the x-intercepts
with assistance.

PROFICIENT
Solves a system of two linear
equations algebraically and
interprets the answer graphically.

ADVANCED
Applies solution techniques for a
system of equations to a real life
situation.

Solves a system of two linear
inequalities in two variables and
interprets the answer graphically.

Applies solution techniques for a
system of inequalities to a real
life situation.

Solves quadratic equations by
factoring and/or completing the
square.
Uses addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of
monomials and polynomials, and
solves challenging rational
equations.
Determines the domain and range
of a function using a graph, a set
of ordered pairs, or a symbolic
expression.

Applies the solution of quadratic
equations to word problems.


Determines functions given
graphs, sets of ordered pairs, or
symbolic expressions.

Uses techniques of addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
division of monomials and
polynomials to solve word
problems.
Applies the domain and range of a
function using a graph, a set of
ordered pairs, or a symbolic
expression to real life word
problems.
Determines and justifies functions
given graphs, sets of ordered
pairs, or symbolic expressions.

Recognizes and solves equations
using the quadratic formula.

Applies the quadratic formula to
word problems.

Uses the quadratic formula to
find the roots of second-degree
equations.
Graphs quadratic equations and
inequalities. Determines whether
the equation is a function.
Recognizes that the roots of the
quadratic are the x-intercepts.

Justifies the use of the quadratic
formula to find the roots of
second-degree equations.
Graphs quadratic equations and
inequalities to solve word
problems and justifies solutions.


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4
Essential Standard: STUDENT CITIZENSHIP RUBRIC
STUDENTS UNDERSTAND AND EXHIBIT THE RIGHTS AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP.
FAR BELOW/BELOW BASIC
BASIC
PROFICIENT
ADVANCED

Rarely completes or turns in
documents when due.

Occasionally turns in
complete or partially
completed documents when
due.

Turns in completed
documents when due.

Submits completed
documents on time and shows
a willingness to revise and
redo assignments to improve
score.

Frequently is disrespectful of
people and/or property.

Fails to show proper respect
for people and property.

Shows respect for people and
property.

Is respectful and helpful to
classmates and handles
property with care.

Lacks an interest in learning.

Shows moderate interest in
learning.

Shows a high interest in
learning and a strong work
ethic.

Maintains a high interest in
learning and is willing to work
hard to accomplish difficult
tasks or to master difficult
concepts.

Is disorganized and
unprepared for class.

Fails to always be prepared
and organized for class.

Is always prepared and
organized for class.

Is well prepared for class and
maintains personal
organization to ensure that
class requirements can be
met.

Excessive tardiness and/or
absences interfere with
academic success.

Irregular attendance and/or
frequent tardiness affect
academic success.

Attends school and class
regularly and on time.

Attends school and class
regularly and on time and is
willing to work outside of the
regular school day to improve
performance and master
concepts.

Rarely completes or turns in
classroom work.

Inconsistently turns in
completed work.

Classroom work completed in
a timely manner.

Completes classroom work in
a timely manner and
maintains an academic focus
in class.
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