Kentucky's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
KSA (Kentucky Summative Assessment) is the state's annual summative assessment program. The On-Demand Writing portion asks students at grades 5, 8, and 11 to produce one extended written response based on a minimum of two provided sources.
KSA uses an analytic rubric structure with four performance levels (Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, Distinguished) rather than a numeric scale. The performance levels mirror Kentucky's broader student performance categories and apply to each scoring element independently. The shift from opinion to argumentation begins at grade 6, so the Grade 5 rubric uses opinion language while Grades 8 and 11 use argumentation language.
The Kentucky Department of Education published the current KSA writing rubrics in January 2022. Each rubric is built around a Guiding Principle for writing (C1 for opinion and argumentation: students will compose pieces to support a position, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence). The descriptor language differs by grade band and by genre.
The three Kentucky KSA writing rubrics
KSA uses analytic rubrics with four performance levels (Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, Distinguished) across a fixed set of scoring elements. Grade 5 Opinion uses 5 elements (Clarity and Coherence, Support, Sourcing, Organization, Language/Conventions). Grades 8 and 11 Argumentation use 6 elements, adding a Counterclaims element. The shift from opinion to argumentation begins at grade 6.
Grade 5 students compose opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting the writer's perspective with reasons and information. Scored on 5 elements at 4 performance levels (Novice through Distinguished). The shift to composing arguments begins at grade 6.
Grade 8 students compose arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and relevant evidence. Scored on 6 elements at 4 performance levels (Novice through Distinguished). Counterclaims become a scored element at this grade.
Grade 11 students compose arguments to support claims in the analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant evidence. Scored on 6 elements at 4 performance levels (Novice through Distinguished).
How Summative Assessment scores writing
Every KSA writing rubric scores responses on a set of independent elements at four performance levels (Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, Distinguished). Grade 5 Opinion uses 5 elements; Grades 8 and 11 Argumentation use 6 elements, adding Counterclaims. Each element is scored independently against the descriptor language for that grade band and performance level.
KSA does not assign numeric points to each performance level. Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, and Distinguished are scored qualitatively against the descriptor language at each level. The KDE student performance categories are intentional, the rubric mirrors the broader Kentucky proficiency reporting framework.
Grade 5 Opinion uses 5 elements (Clarity and Coherence, Support, Sourcing, Organization, Language/Conventions). Grades 8 and 11 Argumentation add a sixth element, Counterclaims, reflecting the shift from opinion writing to argumentative writing that begins at grade 6.
At every KSA grade level, the Sourcing element expects students to use a minimum of two provided sources to support the opinion (Grade 5) or claim (Grades 8, 11). Responses that use only one source or no sources land at Novice on Sourcing regardless of strength elsewhere.
Common questions about Kentucky Summative Assessment writing
What is the KSA writing rubric?
Why is Grade 5 Opinion but Grades 8 and 11 Argumentation?
How does the KSA performance level system work?
How are KSA Grade 8 and Grade 11 Argumentation different?
When does KSA expect counterclaims?
Is this rubric the official version from KDE?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
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