Te Kete Ako

📋 Project Assessment Rubric

Comprehensive evaluation framework for student projects across multiple learning areas

Te Ao Māori Perspective: Assessment in a culturally responsive framework recognizes diverse ways of knowing and being. This rubric values not just individual achievement but also collective understanding, relationship-building, and connection to whakapapa (genealogy) of knowledge.

Assessment Framework Overview

This comprehensive rubric evaluates student projects across five key dimensions that reflect both individual learning and collective understanding. Each dimension is assessed on a four-level scale that honors different ways of demonstrating knowledge and skills.

Assessment Levels

Excellent (4)

Exceeds expectations with sophisticated understanding and original thinking

Proficient (3)

Meets all expectations with clear understanding and effective application

Developing (2)

Approaches expectations with emerging understanding and basic application

Beginning (1)

Below expectations with limited understanding requiring additional support

1. Research & Analysis

Evaluates information gathering, source evaluation, and analytical thinking skills

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Information Gathering Uses diverse, high-quality sources including primary sources, multimedia, and cultural knowledge. Shows sophisticated research strategies. Uses appropriate variety of reliable sources. Demonstrates effective research strategies and source evaluation. Uses some relevant sources with basic variety. Shows emerging research skills with guidance. Limited use of sources, mostly unreliable. Requires significant support for research strategies.
Analysis & Synthesis Demonstrates sophisticated analysis with original insights. Makes complex connections between ideas and cultural contexts. Shows clear analysis and makes meaningful connections. Synthesizes information effectively. Basic analysis with some connections made. Emerging ability to synthesize information. Limited analysis, mostly description. Requires support to make connections.
Cultural Perspectives Incorporates multiple cultural perspectives thoughtfully. Shows deep understanding of Te Ao Māori and other worldviews. Includes relevant cultural perspectives. Demonstrates respectful understanding of different worldviews. Some awareness of cultural perspectives. Emerging understanding with appropriate support. Limited cultural awareness. Requires guidance to include diverse perspectives.

2. Presentation & Communication

Evaluates oral, written, and visual communication across different formats and audiences

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Clarity & Organization Exceptionally clear and well-organized. Sophisticated use of structure and transitions. Engages audience effectively. Clear and well-organized presentation. Good use of structure and transitions. Maintains audience interest. Generally clear with basic organization. Some effective transitions. Adequate audience engagement. Unclear organization and structure. Limited engagement with audience. Requires support for clarity.
Use of Evidence Sophisticated integration of evidence from multiple sources. Effective use of examples, data, and cultural knowledge. Good use of relevant evidence and examples. Integrates sources effectively to support arguments. Some use of evidence and examples. Basic integration of sources with support. Limited or inappropriate use of evidence. Requires guidance to support arguments.
Language & Style Sophisticated language choices appropriate to audience. May include appropriate use of Te Reo Māori or other languages. Appropriate language choices for audience. Clear and effective communication style. Generally appropriate language. Emerging awareness of audience needs. Inappropriate language choices. Limited awareness of audience. Requires language support.

3. Cultural Understanding & Responsiveness

Evaluates understanding of cultural contexts, especially Te Ao Māori, and ability to work respectfully across cultures

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Te Ao Māori Understanding Demonstrates deep understanding of Te Ao Māori concepts, values, and perspectives. Integrates mātauranga Māori authentically. Shows good understanding of Te Ao Māori concepts. Respectful and appropriate integration of Māori perspectives. Basic understanding of Te Ao Māori concepts. Emerging ability to integrate Māori perspectives respectfully. Limited understanding of Te Ao Māori. Requires guidance for respectful cultural engagement.
Cultural Sensitivity Shows sophisticated cultural sensitivity and awareness. Navigates cultural contexts with respect and understanding. Demonstrates good cultural sensitivity. Respectful approach to different cultural contexts. Shows emerging cultural sensitivity. Generally respectful with some guidance needed. Limited cultural sensitivity. Requires significant support for respectful cultural engagement.
Inclusive Perspectives Actively seeks and includes diverse perspectives. Creates inclusive spaces for different ways of knowing. Includes diverse perspectives appropriately. Shows awareness of different cultural approaches. Some inclusion of diverse perspectives. Emerging awareness of cultural differences. Limited inclusion of diverse perspectives. Requires support to recognize different cultural approaches.

4. Collaboration & Community

Evaluates ability to work effectively with others, contribute to group goals, and build learning communities

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Group Contribution Makes exceptional contributions to group work. Takes initiative and supports others' learning and wellbeing. Makes consistent, meaningful contributions to group work. Reliable and supportive team member. Makes adequate contributions to group work. Generally cooperative with some guidance. Limited contributions to group work. Requires support to participate effectively.
Communication & Listening Exceptional listening and communication skills. Facilitates inclusive discussion and values all voices. Good communication and active listening. Respectful and inclusive in group interactions. Basic communication skills. Generally listens respectfully with some prompting. Limited communication and listening skills. Requires support for respectful interaction.
Conflict Resolution Skillfully navigates disagreements with cultural sensitivity. Helps build consensus and maintain relationships. Handles disagreements respectfully. Contributes to positive group dynamics. Generally handles conflicts appropriately with some support. Emerging conflict resolution skills. Difficulty with conflict resolution. Requires significant support for positive group interactions.

5. Critical Reflection & Growth

Evaluates ability to reflect on learning, identify growth areas, and set goals for continued development

Criteria Excellent (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)
Self-Assessment Demonstrates sophisticated self-reflection. Honest and insightful assessment of own learning and growth. Shows good self-reflection skills. Accurate assessment of own strengths and areas for growth. Basic self-reflection with some insight. Generally accurate self-assessment with support. Limited self-reflection ability. Requires guidance for self-assessment.
Learning Connections Makes sophisticated connections between new learning and prior knowledge, including cultural knowledge and personal experience. Makes meaningful connections between new and prior learning. Integrates personal and cultural knowledge appropriately. Makes some connections between new and prior learning. Emerging integration of personal experience. Limited connections to prior learning. Requires support to integrate personal and cultural knowledge.
Goal Setting Sets sophisticated, achievable learning goals. Shows clear pathway for continued growth and development. Sets appropriate learning goals. Shows understanding of next steps for development. Sets basic learning goals with some support. Emerging understanding of growth pathway. Requires significant support to set learning goals. Limited understanding of growth process.

🎯 Curriculum Alignment

New Zealand Curriculum Learning Areas

  • Social Sciences: Understanding how societies work, social inquiry, understanding place and environment
  • English: Listening, reading, viewing; speaking, writing, presenting; thinking critically
  • Te Reo Māori: Communication, cultural knowledge, connections to identity and place
  • Technology: Technological practice, technological knowledge, nature of technology
  • The Arts: Developing ideas, communicating and interpreting, understanding in context

Key Competencies

  • Thinking: Critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, analysis
  • Using Language, Symbols & Texts: Multimodal communication, cultural literacy
  • Managing Self: Self-reflection, goal setting, personal responsibility
  • Relating to Others: Collaboration, cultural responsiveness, empathy
  • Participating & Contributing: Active citizenship, community engagement