Commitment to Critical Thinking Rubric —Middle School

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Clarity Innovations

	4	3	2	1
Effort	Both in school and out of school, I try to find out as much as I can about important issues before I form my opinions.	I investigate a topic before I form an opinion about it. I look for information from a variety of sources before making up my mind.	I often only get information from sources that are easy to find and that I will agree with when forming opinions.	I do not bother to find out about a topic before I form an opinion.
Knowledge of Strategies	I use several strategies (such as using the library, searching on the Web, and asking experts) to learn about a topic.	I use two or three strategies to learn about a topic.	I usually only use one strategy to learn about a topic.	I do not know how to find information about a topic.
Use of Strategies	I use the strategies I learned on my own to learn about issues inside and outside of school.	I use the strategies I learned on my own to learn about issues in school.	When reminded, I use strategies to learn about issues.	I do not use the strategies I learned.
Persistence	If an issue is important, I keep looking until I find enough information to form a well-supported opinion.	If an issue is important, I look for information on the topic.	If an issue is important, I look for information on the topic if it is easy to find.	I usually do not look for information on a topic even if I think it is important.
Flexibility	I keep my mind open after I form an opinion and change it when I find new and important evidence.	I can change my mind when I learn new, important information.	I usually make up my mind on important topics very quickly, and I seldom change it, even when I learn about new information that contradicts my opinion.	I make up my mind quickly, and after my mind is made up, I hardly ever change it.
Accuracy	I feel strongly that the work I do inside and outside of school should be accurate and precise, so I take time and use appropriate resources to produce quality work.	I am careful to make sure my work is accurate.	My work is sometimes careless and imprecise.	My work is often careless, sloppy, and inaccurate.