• Skip to main content

Understanding Proficiency - Learning from Student Work on Performance Tasks

  • Home
  • ELA
    • ELA/Literacy Overview
    • Grade 3
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5
    • Grade 6
    • Grade 7
    • Grade 8
    • High School
  • Math
    • Math Overview
    • Grade 3
    • Grade 4
    • Grade 5
    • Grade 6
    • Grade 7
    • Grade 8
    • High School
  • Related Resources
    • Professional Learning Tools
    • Video Library
    • English Learners
  • About

Grade 8

View the Performance Task

Penny Argumentative Performance Task

This performance task comes from the Smarter Balanced practice test. This specific task asks students to read four informational articles about the historical and financial impact of the penny. Students answer three research questions (constructed- and selected-response items) that require them to evaluate sources and identify evidence to support ideas. Finally, students are asked to use the sources to write an article arguing for or against the continued production of the penny in the United States.

Smarter Balanced Resources

  • Scoring Guide
  • Grade 6-11 Argumentative Rubric
  • Take the Practice Test

* Learn About Smarter Balanced Accessibility Features.

Download Student Work and Scoring Examples

Research Questions

Constructed Responses

Full Write Essays

Organization
& Purpose
Evidence
& Elaboration
Conventions
Scored
Student
Samples
click to download click to download click to download
Unscored
Student
Samples
click to download click to download click to download
Scoring
Key
click to download click to download click to download

Download Case Studies

Each of the two case studies provides an analysis of an individual student’s responses to all of the questions in a performance task, unpacks the scoring, and considers next steps for supporting the student to demonstrate college and career readiness. Case study 1 is an analysis of an EL student’s responses to the performance task.

  • Case Study 1
  • Case Study 2

Video: Analyzing Student Work


Download all
Grade 8 Resources

WestEd.org

This site and its content copyright © WestEd 1995-2023, with the exception of copyrighted works owned by The Regents of the University of California or Smarter Balanced.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility