School of Education 
                                                 Teacher Education Program Essay Requirements 
                                                                             
         The essay written for admission to the Teacher Education Program should include the following: 
              •   Why you have chosen teaching as a career 
              •   What you already know about teaching the age range for which you are applying 
              •   Your experiences in a teaching setting with the appropriate age group (give dates, age levels, and details 
                  surrounding the experiences) and other additional experiences you have had working with children/adolescents 
              •   Any additional characteristics you possess which will make you a good teacher 
         You must submit a typed or a handwritten, two-three page essay on white 8 ½ x 11 inch paper. The title for your essay 
         should be centered on the top of the first page, with your name centered below the title. Please make sure your name is 
         included at the top of each page of your essay. 
         Your essay will be reviewed for your ability to express ideas clearly, as well as for accuracy in spelling, sentence 
         structure, grammar, and writing mechanics. One rationale for this assignment is the faculty’s concern about the writing 
         skills of all teacher education candidates, as you will be the model for students in your classroom. Becoming an effective 
         communicator is a critical Standard of Effective Practice that is frequently assessed, in multiple formats, throughout our 
         program. Therefore, we have high expectations for this essay in terms of quality as well as the message conveyed. 
          
          
          
          
                                              
                                                                 SMSU School of Education 
                                                              Writing Rubric  (Rev. Jan. 2013) 
                                                                                 
                                      Beginning (1 pt)              Developing (2 pts)          Competent (3 pts)        Exemplary (4 pts) 
              Sophistication of       The paper has no sense        The paper has missing       The paper follows        An in-depth analysis 
              Analysis (8, 32%)       of purpose or central         details and is not          the guidelines for       about the subject is 
                                      theme. Sequence of            consistent in its           the paper. The           provided. Positions are 
                                      information is difficult to   position. The main          subject is followed      clearly stated and 
                                      follow. Lacks perspective     ideas are incorrectly       and position taken is    consistently 
                                      or insight into topic.        placed. Supporting          consistent and           maintained. The paper 
                                                                    details do not always       supported by the         is clear, focused, and 
                                                                    relate back to the main     themes presented.        holds the reader's 
                                                                    idea.                                                attention. 
              Organization and        The paper lacks a clear       The paper is beginning      The paper follows a      The paper is well 
              Logical                 sense of direction and        to define the topic,        logical sequence and     developed and 
              Development (8,         makes it hard for the         even though                 context is linked        maintains a purpose 
              32%)                    reader to get a grip on       development is basic        together, but little     throughout. Paragraphs 
                                      the main points.              and general. Not all        detail is shared.        are logically linked and 
                                                                    details are linked back     Most areas within        the writing style used is 
                                                                    to main idea, and paper     the paper are            well developed. 
                                                                    tends to jump around.       developed and            Arguments, examples, 
                                                                                                supported, although      facts, opinions, and 
                                                                                                some elaboration is      details used enhance 
                                                                                                needed.                  the main points. 
              Clarity of              The paper contains a          The paper is beginning      The language is          Words and phrases are 
              Expression (5, 20%)     limited vocabulary and        to show some                functional, even         chosen carefully and 
                                      words are used                elaboration with            though it doesn't        expressions are 
                                      incorrectly. The paper        vocabulary and              contain as much          constructed 
                                      contains structural           expressions, but is basic   energy as it could.      purposefully. Each 
                                      weaknesses and                and rather matter of        There are some           point the author makes 
                                      phrasing inconsistencies.   fact and to the point,        expressive tones         is expressed exactly, 
                                                                    which makes it a rather     used and most            precisely, and as clear 
                                                                    dry read.                   points made are          as possible. 
                                                                                                clear and precise.  
              Grammar,                Errors in spelling,           The paper                   The paper has few        The paper uses 
              Punctuation, and        punctuation,                  demonstrates                errors and most          grammar, punctuation 
              Spelling (4, 16%)       capitalization, usage,        reasonable control over     errors are sporadic      and spelling correctly. 
                                      grammar, and/or               a limited range of          and do not take          There are very few, if 
                                      paragraphing repeatedly       standard writing            away from the main       any, errors found. The 
                                      distract the reader and       conventions, although       idea of thoughts and     paper demonstrates a 
                                      make it difficult to read     repeated errors are         expressions              solid grasp of standard 
                                      and/or comprehend             found throughout the        presented                writing conventions. 
                                      intended message.             paper.                      throughout paper.