The following 10 Anchor Papers represent a range of score points and are used in conjunction with the rubrics to assess student responses.

Score for Anchor Paper #1: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Fragments of basic ideas (keeps us out of war; beans cost less than bombs) are given.

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response is related to the question and shows only minimal knowledge. Fragments of basic ideas are provided (making some kind of agreement between countries so we get along; helping other people in need), but the ideas are general and incomplete.

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response shows knowledge of the effects of foreign aid. Basic ideas are presented (not only does it feed the poor/hungry it also contributes to world peace; if we help them out most likely they'll help us out if and when we need it). The response is adequate for a score of "2."

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response shows knowledge of the effects of foreign aid. Basic ideas (in time of war these nations will be on our side; it opens up trade routes with these countries that help our economy) are provided with a little support (another ally in war that helps us not lose our dominating power).

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response shows knowledge of the effects of foreign aid. Basic ideas are presented (resources such as oil; they may help in the time of war) and provided with a little support (letting refugees come; let the U.S. set up a base near the border; helps us bring peace around the world).

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of the effects of foreign aid. Concepts are accurate and supported (provide money to create stability; markets grow for foreign trade). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated through appropriate application of analysis and evaluation (it is important to the U.S. to benefit from foreign trade because we are a capitalist nation) and cause-and-effect reasoning (otherwise, nations could collapse from economic losses, and then the U.S. will suffer from lacking foreign markets which do not purchase U.S. products, which the U.S. must sell to gain money).

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of the effects of foreign aid. Concepts are accurate and supported (if we help them then they will like us and be friends; trade is good for our economy). Some evidence of higher order thinking skills is shown through appropriate application of analysis and evaluation (good for our security; it means one less country in the world that thinks we are bad and wants to attack us) and cause-and-effect reasoning (this means they have more money to spend and will spend it on our goods {which} will help improve our economy's growth.)

Score for Anchor Paper #8: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response shows some understanding of the effects of foreign aid. Accurate concepts are supported (we become more popular; potential allies). Appropriate application of analysis (foreign relationships; post-war reconstruction needs), evaluation (worth the cost; militant groups against anything American), and effective example (Afghanistan) provide some evidence of higher order thinking skills.

Score for Anchor Paper #9: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response shows understanding of the effects of foreign aid. Accurate concepts (makes us allies; helps the impoverished people of the world; global influence) are well supported. Powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills is demonstrated by the integrated application of analysis and evaluation (as the most powerful nation in the world, we have an obligation to help those in need worldwide; the benefits of making new allies and increasing our footing and influence in the world and improving others' quality of life are well worth the cost of the aid), cause-and-effect reasoning (the more nations we get involved with, the more influence we will have on a global scale, and the more cooperative nations there will be), and effective use of relevant example (the Marshall Plan in post-WWII Europe).

Score for Anchor Paper #10: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response shows understanding of the effects of foreign aid. Concepts are accurate and well supported (trade; allies; peace). Powerful evidence of higher order thinking skills is provided through application of cause-and-effect reasoning (the Red Cross can respond to crises in our own country rather than abroad, thus relieving the need for federal aid; numerous peace attempts have been unsuccessful and led to further problems), analysis and evaluation (not worth the cost because it gets our country overly involved in the affairs of other nations; foreign aid should only be used in areas of extreme need), and effective use of relevant examples (the Taliban in Afghanistan; peace attempts in the Middle East).

Additional Scored Student Responses