Typical Scoring Tool Language for Reading Questions

Reading scoring tools are "question specific." There is no "generic," one-size-fits-all type of rubric that we can develop for use for all reading questions. However, what follows are typical types of score point descriptions, plus some suggestions for scoring language to use for reading questions.

Keep in mind as you read Score Point 1, in particular, that a score point of 1 is always a satisfactory answer on MSPAP. That is scary! 70% of our kids can't score a one? This holds true for all MSPAP scoring, not just reading. A one is always satisfactory.

Although the types shown below are for a scale of 2, 1, 0, this is not a hard-and-fast rule, as far as I know. There may be more score points, such as 3,2,1,0, but the majority of the questions I have had exposure to have been on a 2, 1, 0 scale.

Typical Wording

2 Points

The response reflects a developed understanding of the text with clear evidence of text support.

The response reflects a developed understanding of the text, with evidence of an accurate understanding of author's craft by including explicit text-based support.

The response reflects a developed understanding of the text linked to relevant personal knowledge through explicit text connections and extensions.

The response reflects a developed understanding with evidence of connections and extensions supported by specific reference to the text.

The response reflects a developed understanding of the text, with evidence of an accurate understanding of author's craft by including explicit text-based support and personal reasons for choice.

1 Point

The response reflects a general understanding of text with little or implied text support.

The response reflects a general understanding of the text, with evidence of an accurate understanding of author's craft by including implied text-based support.

The response reflects a general knowledge of the text linked to relevant personal knowledge through implied text connections and extensions.

The response reflects a superficial understanding of the text with little or implied text support.

The response reflects a general understanding with evidence of connections and extensions with implied reference to text.

0 Points


Stephen Decatur Middle School (SDMS)
Suggested Reading Scoring Tool Language

My goal in my job is to help simplify both teacher and student understanding of MSPAP. After I read over some of the typical scoring tool language, in attempting to interpret what it means, and in my experience working with teachers and students, I know that my students and staff are more comfortable when there is a number attached to something. Because MSPAP reading is so heavily tied to text support, and keeping in mind that a score of one is always satisfactory, I decided to somewhat simplify the process, and I developed this reading strategy, primarily to be used with "Reading to Be Informed," i.e. pieces of non-fiction such as newspaper articles and content-area reading. I arbitrarily chose two pieces of evidence as a goal for a satisfactory answer.

Here is the reading strategy that all my teachers share with students each time they do a "Reading to Be Informed" (RBI) piece:


Answering Questions About Reading

Read the question.

Think about what you are being asked.

As you read the information, highlight key words or phrases that will help you to answer the question.

Support your answer with information from the text, using the comma-quote strategy. Use at least two examples from the text to support your answer, more if possible.

Extend your answer by:


SDMS Reading Score Point
Language Suggestions

(These can be adapted and modified as needed)

2 Points

The response reflects a clear understanding of the text, with three or more explicit text references and extensions.

The response reflects a clear understanding of the text, with at least two explicit text references and relevant personal experience/background knowledge.

The response reflects a clear understanding of the author's craft, with three explicit text references for support.

(Note: Adjust the number of text references if it is not possible to get the number stated above.)

1 Point

The response reflects a general understanding of the text, with two explicit text references and extensions.

The response reflects a general understanding of the text, with an explicit text reference and relevant personal experience/background knowledge.

The response reflects a general understanding of the author's craft, with two explicit text references for support.

0 Points


Answer Cues

Answer cues are the specific words, phrases, or key ideas that you expect students to include when they write a response to a reading question. Here is a sample scoring tool I wrote for an article about noncancerous tumors on sea turtles. The question is a global one, but there were other questions with the same article that required use of background knowledge and text support.

Question 1: How do the noncancerous tumors harm the sea turtles?

2 Points

Response shows a clear understanding, with three or more explicit text references.

1 Point

Response shows general understanding, with two explicit text references.

0 Points

Answer cues:


Points to keep in mind:

The scoring language above is primarily for "Reading to Be Informed." I have not yet tried it with "Reading for Literary Experience," but with a few modifications, such as "response shows a general understanding of how setting affects a story, with two explicit text references," it can work. The same can be said for "Reading to Perform a Task."

This information I have given you about scoring reading does not give you a complete picture when it comes to understanding reading and MSPAP. You need to study the outcomes and the proficiency levels for reading closest to your grade. In combination with the text support, the response a student writes must also show that he/she understands what has been read. The proficiency levels can help you to focus in on what they should be demonstrating an understanding of when it comes to reading.

The brief (?) explanations I have given you here are based solely on my limited experience with understanding how reading is handled on MSPAP. I can best help you to understand this entire process when I do an all day workshop with you, and even then, much of what you get out of the workshop will depend on the level of knowledge you bring to it. If you are ignorant of reading stances, of the types of reading (RLE, RBI, RPT), if you feel that reading is only the domain of the language arts teacher, then there is a lot you need to do to bring yourself up to speed (sorry for any toes I have just stepped on). If you are interested in having me do an all-day inservice at your school, please contact me via email (see below). Enough soapbox now. I'll get down.


For comments and inquiries, send email to:
Cam Miller
Curriculum Planner
Stephen Decatur Middle School
(formerly Berlin Middle School)
Worcester County