Michigan's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) is Michigan's annual summative assessment for grades 3 through 8 and grade 11. 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.
Michigan uses the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) writing rubrics for M-STEP. The same five Performance Task rubrics apply across all SBAC consortium states, including California (CAASPP), Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Idaho, and Nevada. Grade bands are 3-5 (Opinion, Informational), 3-8 (Narrative), and 6-11 (Argumentative, Explanatory).
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. The three traits are scored independently, so a response can earn 0 on Conventions and still earn full credit on the other two traits.
The five Michigan M-STEP 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 M-STEP 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 Michigan M-STEP writing
What writing rubric does Michigan M-STEP use?
How does Michigan M-STEP use the SBAC writing rubrics?
How many points is each M-STEP writing rubric worth?
When does SBAC require students to address opposing arguments?
Is this rubric the official version from the Michigan Department of Education?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
Score Michigan M-STEP writing in EnlightenAI
Train EnlightenAI on any of the five official SBAC writing rubrics used by M-STEP and start scoring student writing, with consistent per-trait feedback, in a single class period.