EVALUATING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Criterion	Poor (1)	Below Ave. (2)	Ave (3)	Above Ave. (4)	Excellent (5)	Score
INFORMATION COLLECTION Observes accurately, collects data, identifies facts, recognizes patterns; Identifies concepts, objectives, issues, or themes; identifies relevant information.	Poor basic knowledge of subject; misses or unable to identify important data/facts or patterns; sometimes misinterprets evidence; often focuses on details and misses the “big picture”.				Excellent basic knowledge of subject; consistently observes and identifies important data/facts and patterns; accurately interprets evidence; easily sees the “big picture”
ORGANIZATION Identifies unknowns; distinguishes between data and inferences; organizes information systematically with accurate relationships; identifies reasonable outcomes/conclusions	Summarizes data/knowledge in a disorganized fashion; has difficulty identifying unknown factors; confuses assumptions with facts; misses important relationships; needs to be guided to reasonable conclusions.				Systematically organizes data /knowledge; focuses on the important unknown factors; does not confuse assumptions with facts; accurately describes relationships; able to independently draw reasonable conclusions.
APPLICATION Uses appropriate tools, techniques, and models; uses a variety of sources for information; applies knowledge/experience to practical situations	Randomly applies models and problem-solving tools; does not seek out additional information; unable to identify solvable problems in practical situations.				Identifies appropriate models and problem-solving tools; routinely seeks out additional information; able to simplify practical situations to solvable problems.
ANALYSIS Connects data to conclusions; articulates expected results; defends/justifies conclusions; compares results/conclusions to expected outcomes	Often fails to identify strong relevant counter-arguments; justifies few results or procedures; seldom explains reasons; poor ability to use data/facts to justify conclusion; rarely compares results/conclusion to expected or true outcomes.				Identifies the salient arguments pro and con; justifies key results and procedures; explains assumptions and reasons; consistently justifies conclusion with data/facts; thoughtfully analyzes unexpected outcomes.
SYNTHESIS Makes appropriate generalizations; designs and executes projects/experiments; formulates and tests hypotheses; formulates thesis and organizes supporting material; identifies and solves problems.	Unable to generalize specific cases; has difficulty designing methods to test hypotheses; rarely sees the “next step”; often draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions; can solve assigned problems with guidance.				Sees connections between specific and general cases; can generate different methods to test hypothesis; easily sees the “next step”; draws warranted, judicious, conclusions; can identify and independently solve problems.
APPLICATION Compares different ideas, analyses, solution techniques, and theses; identifies bias/subjectivity; recognizes effects from different assumptions, theories, and models; evaluates different approaches using reasoned argument	Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view; maintains or defends views based on self-interest or preconceptions with little regard for evidence; unable to explain how different conclusions could be reached.				Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view; fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead; able to analyze source of differences in conclusions and objectively choose best answer.
OVERALL EVALUATION