New Hampshire's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
NH-SAS (New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System) is the state's annual summative ELA assessment for grades 3 through 8. The writing portion uses extended constructed responses scored against modular interim writing rubrics that align with the NH SAS summative scoring approach.
NH SAS writing rubrics share a consistent three-domain structure across genres and grade bands. Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (or Purpose, Focus, and Organization on the narrative rubric) and Evidence/Elaboration (or Development and Elaboration on the narrative rubric) each carry a 4-point analytic scale. Conventions/Editing uses a 2-point sub-scale that begins at score point 2.
The argumentative rubric introduces counterclaims at 7th grade, marked in the source with a footnote. The 6 to 8 argumentative and informative rubrics also add a fifth bullet at score point 4 (strong connections among ideas with syntactic variety) that does not appear on the 3 to 5 rubrics. Narrative writing uses a different domain naming convention but the same 4/4/2-point structure.
The five New Hampshire NH-SAS writing rubrics
Each NH-SAS rubric scores writing across three domains. Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (0 to 4) and Evidence/Elaboration (0 to 4) each carry a 4-point analytic scale, and Conventions/Editing is scored on a tighter 2-point sub-scale. The same three-domain structure applies across genres and grade bands, only the descriptor language changes.
Students state and defend an opinion using evidence from one or more provided sources. Scored on Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (0 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (0 to 4), and Conventions/Editing (0 to 2).
Students explain a topic clearly, organizing a controlling or main idea around evidence drawn from one or more provided sources. Scored on Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (0 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (0 to 4), and Conventions/Editing (0 to 2).
Students develop real or imagined experiences using plot, characters, setting, dialogue, and sensory details. Scored on Purpose, Focus, and Organization (0 to 4), Development and Elaboration (0 to 4), and Conventions of Standard English (0 to 2).
Students make and defend a claim using evidence from sources. Counterclaims are addressed beginning in 7th grade. Scored on Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (0 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (0 to 4), and Conventions/Editing (0 to 2).
Students explain a controlling or main idea using cited evidence from sources, with strong syntactic variety and cohesion at the highest score. Scored on Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization (0 to 4), Evidence/Elaboration (0 to 4), and Conventions/Editing (0 to 2).
How NH-SAS scores writing
Every NH-SAS writing rubric scores responses on three analytic domains. The first two domains (Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization, and Evidence/Elaboration) each carry a 4-point scale with bullet-level descriptors at every level. Conventions/Editing is a 2-point sub-scale that begins at score point 2 and describes mechanical command independently from content quality.
Scored 0 to 4. Captures how clearly the opinion, claim, or controlling idea is stated and maintained, how effectively the response is organized, and how well transitional strategies connect ideas. The narrative rubric uses the same 4-point structure but evaluates plot, setting, sequence of events, and opening/closing instead.
Scored 0 to 4. Captures depth and integration of source evidence, use of elaborative techniques, and the clarity and precision of language and domain-specific vocabulary. On the narrative rubric this domain is called Development and Elaboration and evaluates characters, dialogue, sensory and concrete language, and style and voice.
Scored 0 to 2 on a tighter sub-scale that begins at score point 2. Covers grammar usage, sentence formation, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. Score point 2 represents adequate command with no systematic pattern of errors; score point 1 represents partial command where errors may obscure meaning; score point 0 represents a lack of command.
Common questions about New Hampshire NH-SAS writing
What is the NH-SAS writing rubric?
How many points is each NH-SAS writing rubric worth?
When does NH-SAS expect counterclaims in argumentative writing?
How is the NH-SAS rubric different from AASA or SBAC?
Is this rubric the official version from the NH Department of Education?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
Score New Hampshire NH-SAS writing in EnlightenAI
Train EnlightenAI on any of the five official NH-SAS writing rubrics and start scoring student writing, with consistent per-domain feedback, in a single class period.