Philosophy of Education Rubric
Commitment to supporting teaching and learning (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
States ideas about teaching and learning that are unlikely to support successful teaching or future growth for the teacher. States ideas about teaching and learning that reflect a sound and reasonable platform for beginning a successful career in teaching. States mature ideas about teaching and learning that reflect a deep understanding of the purposes of teaching, the complexity of education, and the teacher's role.
COMMENT  
Developing the potential of students (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Provides an unrealistic description of the role of teaching plays in student growth and learning (too powerful or too weak) and fails to indicate a commitment to students' growth. Provides a reasonable general description of the role teaching plays in student growth and learning, and states or implies a general commitment to students' growth. Expresses a realistic understanding of teaching and provides a clear and specific personal commitment to this role.
COMMENT  
Continued professional development (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
States or implies a self-satisfaction with current status and has little awareness or commitment to future growth and self-improvement. Indicates an openness to learning and development and a general willingness to learn and change in the future. Shows an openness to learning and development, a deep commitment to future professional growth, and a specific understanding of how to make that growth possible.
COMMENT  
Professional knowledge (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Evidences either a lack of the value of professional knowledge to successful teaching or reveals important limitations in own professional knowledge. Acknowledges the general importance of various aspects of professional knowledge, but without evidence or depth of understanding or specific connection to successful outcomes. Shows a deep understanding of the value of professional knowledge (e.g. subject matter, human development, pedagogy) and can reflect on the role this plays in successful professional practice.
COMMENT  
Critical Thinking (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Shows lack of understanding, or lack of commitment to helping students develop critical thinking, or seriously flawed understanding of how critical thinking could be developed. Expresses a general understanding of the value of critical thinking and a clear commitment to teaching it. Evidences an accurate understanding of the value of critical thinking, shows a clear and specific commitment to developing it, and is able to reasonably suggest how critical thinking might be nurtured.
COMMENT  
Writing quality: Integration (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
The quality of this paper is seriously deficient and does not reflect the writing or communication skills of a professional teacher. This paper meets the standards of sound professional communication with neither major writing deficiencies or any significant accumulation of minor problems. Expresses information clearly. A well developed piece of writing that is professional, informative, and interesting. This paper reflects a clear understanding of the needs of the audience and expresses information with vigor and clarity.
COMMENT  
Writing quality: Focus (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Lacks a clear focus or position. Includes extraneous information not clearly connected to the position or to the major ideas of this paper. States a clear position and several major points. Most statements emphasize or elaborate on this position and the major point. Position is clearly stated and focus is maintained throughout the paper. All major ideas are expressed directly and logically developed.
COMMENT  
Writing quality: Elaboration (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Author either expresses major thoughts with little support or elaboration or provides an abundance of details without making larger points. Major points are adequately developed for making the writer's case. Some examples, explanation, and evidence are used. Support is abundant and show original thought. Uses examples, explanation, and evidence to support all major ideas and even some supporting ideas.
COMMENT  
Writing quality: Organization (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Weak organizational structure. It is difficult to follow the writer's plan or to see what the connection is among the major points. Paper as a clear plan that is followed throughout the paper. Paper has a strong and clear organizational plan which is maintained successfully throughout the entire paper. The ideas are skillfully and logically connected.
COMMENT  
Writing quality: Conventions (10%)
1 BEGINNING 2 DEVELOPING 3 PROFICIENT
Serious errors are evident in mechanics, usage, grammar, and/or spelling. Paper suggests lack of understanding or poor control of basic conventions of writing. Few errors are evident in mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling, and these errors do not significantly detract from the message. There are no errors or extremely minor errors in mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling.
COMMENT  
This rubric was developed by The Council of Teacher of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago