:: Additional Services
Essay Scoring
The K16 Scoring Center employs experienced essay readers qualified to score writing samples utilizing a variety of rubrics. Readers assess age-appropriate writing skills at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. Our readers have a background in classroom teaching and are practiced at holistic scoring.
The key concept in holistic scoring is to consider the five analytic traits of focus, organization, development, grammar, and mechanics in a balanced way to obtain an overall impression of the writing sample. Readers are trained not to give undue weight to one analytic trait over another, but to score the overall effectiveness of the writing.
GED scorers must be certified by The GED Testing Service (GEDTS) prior to joining our team, and must certify on an annual basis thereafter. Chief readers, rigorously trained by GEDTS, are present in the reader room to ensure accuracy by providing regular scoring recalibrations and instant feedback for the team.
Essay scoring projects, past and present, include:
- GED Language Arts-Writing in English & Spanish
- Scoring projects for educational publishers to define & improve online assessment tools
- The Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills (TAKS) Practice Writing Test
- Hardin-Simmons University Writing Proficiency Test
- The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- K-12 writing assessment for Credit by Exam/Accelerated Placement tests, English & Spanish
