Look at the pentagon RSTUV below.

Step A

How many diagonals can be drawn from vertex R?

Step B

Use what you know about line segments to explain how you determined your answer. Use words, pictures and/or numbers in your explanation.

Step A is scored 0 (Incorrect) or 1 (Correct) and assesses 2.A.1.b.
Step B is scored with a 3 point (0, 1, 2) rubric and assesses Processes of Mathematics.

Answer Annotation

Step A Answer: 2 diagonals

Step B Sample Correct Response: A diagonal is a line segment drawn from one vertex to another, but is not a side of the figure. Starting at vertex R, only two diagonals can be drawn, RT and RU.

Score 2

The response demonstrates a complete understanding and analysis of a problem.

• Application of a reasonable strategy in the context of the problem is indicated.
• Explanation¹ of and/or justification² for the mathematical process(es) used to solve a problem is clear, developed, and logical.
• Connections and/or extensions made within mathematics or outside of mathematics are clear.
• Supportive information and/or numbers are provided as appropriate. ³

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding and analysis of a problem.

• Partial application of a strategy in the context of the problem is indicated.
• Explanation¹ of and/or justification² for the mathematical process(es) used to solve a problem is partially developed, logically flawed, or missing.
• Connections and/or extensions made within mathematics or outside of mathematics are partial or overly general, or flawed.
• Supportive information and/or numbers may or may not be provided as appropriate.³

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the problem, or missing.⁴

Note 1:

Explanation refers to students' ability to communicate how they arrived at the solution for an item using the language of mathematics.

Note 2:

Justification refers to students' ability to support the reasoning used to solve a problem, or to demonstrate why the solution is correct using mathematical concepts and principles.

Note 3:

Students need to complete rubric criteria for explanation, justification, connections and/or extensions as cued for in a given problem.

Note 4:

Merely an exact copy or paraphrase of the problem will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: August 2003