California's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) is California's annual summative assessment system. The writing component is delivered as a Performance Task (PT), a multi-part task in which students read sources, take notes, and produce a full essay or narrative.
California uses the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) writing rubrics. The same five Performance Task rubrics apply across all SBAC consortium states, with grade bands at 3-5 (Opinion, Informational), 3-8 (Narrative), and 6-11 (Argumentative, Explanatory). Each rubric scores three analytic traits.
All five SBAC rubrics share the same Conventions sub-scale (0 to 2). Organization/Purpose and Evidence/Elaboration (or Development/Elaboration for Narrative) are scored 1 to 4 each. The total maximum per rubric is 10 points. Important: a response that earns 0 on Conventions can still earn full scores on the other two traits, and vice versa, the traits are scored independently.
The five California CAASPP writing rubrics
Each Performance Task rubric scores writing on three analytic traits. Organization/Purpose (1 to 4) and Evidence/Elaboration (1 to 4) carry the bulk of the score, while Conventions (0 to 2) covers mechanics. The same 3-trait structure applies across all five rubrics; only the descriptor language and expectations change by genre and grade band.
Students state an opinion and support it with source-based evidence. Scored on Organization/Purpose (1 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (1 to 4), and Conventions (0 to 2).
Students explain a controlling/main idea about a topic using source-based evidence. Scored on Organization/Purpose (1 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (1 to 4), and Conventions (0 to 2).
Students write a real or imagined narrative with plot, setting, characters, and a clear sequence. Scored on Organization/Purpose (1 to 4), Development/Elaboration (1 to 4), and Conventions (0 to 2). Point of view scoring begins at Grade 7.
Students develop a claim with text-based evidence and address opposing arguments (Grade 7+). Scored on Organization/Purpose (1 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (1 to 4), and Conventions (0 to 2).
Students explain a thesis/controlling idea using source-based evidence. Scored on Organization/Purpose (1 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (1 to 4), and Conventions (0 to 2).
How CAASPP (SBAC) scores writing
Every SBAC Performance Task writing rubric scores responses on three analytic traits. Organization/Purpose (1 to 4) covers focus, structure, transitions, and introduction/conclusion. Evidence/Elaboration (or Development/Elaboration on Narrative; 1 to 4) covers source use, citations, elaborative techniques, and vocabulary. Conventions (0 to 2) covers sentence formation, punctuation, capitalization, grammar usage, and spelling.
Scored 1 to 4. Covers how clearly the controlling idea/claim/opinion is communicated, how well the focus is maintained, the use of transitions, the strength of introduction and conclusion, and the logical progression of ideas. For Argumentative, also covers whether alternate/opposing arguments are acknowledged (begins at Grade 7).
Scored 1 to 4. Covers the integration of source material, citations or attribution, use of elaborative techniques, vocabulary appropriate to audience and purpose, and overall style. On Narrative, this trait covers plot details, dialogue, sensory and figurative language, and use of narrative techniques.
Scored 0 to 2. Covers sentence formation, punctuation, capitalization, grammar usage, and spelling. Holistic scoring considers Variety (range of error types), Severity (basic errors weighted more heavily than higher-level errors), and Density (ratio of errors to amount written).
Common questions about California CAASPP (SBAC) writing
What is the CAASPP writing rubric?
How many points is each CAASPP writing rubric worth?
Is the CAASPP rubric the same as the Smarter Balanced rubric?
When does SBAC require students to address opposing arguments?
How does the Narrative rubric differ from the other four?
Is this rubric the official version from the California Department of Education?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
Score California CAASPP writing in EnlightenAI
Train EnlightenAI on any of the five official SBAC writing rubrics used by CAASPP and start scoring student writing, with consistent per-trait feedback, in a single class period.