Pennsylvania's state writing assessment, rubric by rubric
PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) is the state's annual summative assessment for grades 3 through 8. The English Language Arts portion includes reading short-answer items at every grade and, starting in Grade 4, an extended Text-Dependent Analysis (TDA) prompt that asks students to analyze one or more passages with text-based evidence.
Grades 4 through 8 use a single Text-Dependent Analysis scoring guideline scaled 1 to 4. The same descriptors apply across the grade band, but expectations rise with grade level through the texts and prompts. The TDA rubric is holistic and bundles analysis, organization, evidence, language, and conventions into one score per response.
Grade 3 ELA does not include the TDA item type. Instead, reading is assessed with short-answer questions scored 0 to 3 on a separate scoring guideline that focuses on completeness of the answer, specificity of details, and accuracy of text-based support.
The Pennsylvania PSSA writing rubrics
Each PSSA rubric is published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the PSSA ELA assessment. The Text-Dependent Analysis rubric scores extended written responses on a 4-point scale across Grades 4-8. The Grade 3 ELA short-answer scoring guidelines use a 4-level holistic scale for reading short-answer items.
Students read one or more passages, then write an analytic essay supported by evidence from the text(s). Scored holistically on a 4-point scale across analysis, organization, evidence, language, and conventions.
The Grade 3 PSSA ELA assessment uses short-answer items rather than an extended essay. Each response is scored 0 to 3 based on completeness, accuracy, and text-based support.
How PSSA scores writing
The PSSA Text-Dependent Analysis rubric is holistic. One score from 1 to 4 captures analysis, organization, evidence, language, and conventions together. The Grade 3 ELA short-answer scoring guideline is similar in spirit. One score from 0 to 3 reflects how complete and accurate the response is, with text-based support.
A holistic 4-point scale. Each score point describes analysis quality, introduction/development/conclusion, organizational structure, text references, transitions, language, and convention errors together. A response cannot earn a 4 on analysis with weak text references; the bundles are evaluated as a whole.
A 4-level scoring guideline (0, 1, 2, 3) for reading short-answer items. Score 3 requires a complete answer with text-based support and specific details. Score 1 indicates an incomplete answer or copied text without analysis. Score 0 indicates insufficient material for scoring or an inaccurate response.
Both rubrics are text-dependent. Every score level rewards specific, accurate, and relevant references to the source passage(s). PSSA does not assess writing in a vacuum. A response that ignores the text(s), copies text without analysis, or substitutes general knowledge cannot earn the top score.
Common questions about Pennsylvania PSSA writing
What is the PSSA writing rubric?
What does Text-Dependent Analysis mean on PSSA?
Is the TDA rubric the same across Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8?
Why does Grade 3 use a different rubric?
Are the PSSA rubrics holistic or analytic?
Where can I find the source documents?
Does EnlightenAI auto-score with these rubrics?
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