Social Studies Case Study description and Rubric

A case study is a description of an actual situation involving a decision, a challenge, an

opportunity, a problem or an issue faced by a person or persons. The case requires the reader to
step figuratively into the position of a particular decision maker, specifically to identify, analyze,
and to propose solutions to the problem using data analysis, technology and other research tools.
The teacher candidates will create and write a comprehensive case study that includes
data collection and analysis and reporting during their clinical internship, EDFS460.
The clinical intern will identify a student or small group of students in their assigned
classroom who are not attaining an acceptable level of understanding of a specific concept
related to an NCSS theme. It is suggested (though not required) that the student(s) used in the
Case Study also be the individual student(s) focused on in the Candidate Work Sample data
analysis section.
The purpose of this case study is to identify a student having specific problems in your
class, identify the problem(s), propose a solution that will aid the student and report whether that
solution was successful. Specific NCSS theme(s) need to be identified to be addressed.
The steps listed below should assist you through the process and will be evaluated with
the rubric.

Case Study steps

Evaluate
Describe the student(s) and why they were chosen for the case study. Identify and describe the
concept within an NCSS theme that is not being understood. Collect data on current
performance.
Analyze
Consider the prior student work using appropriate data analysis, collection and explanations to
define why the student is having difficulty. Include student examples and data tables or graphs
to demonstrate the issue.
Describe Environment
Describe the classroom management and instruction techniques used to teach prior lessons and
how these may be influencing current performance.
Propose a Solution
Propose a method based on your research of current student work and educational theories that
you could use to aid the student(s) to understand the concept. Use your training to determine
potential causes for misconceptions. Use theories that you learned in EDFS 303, EDFS 345,
EDFS 456, or any other courses (use APA style citations).
Implement
Try your new method of instruction. Describe how data will be collected and analyzed based on
the proposed solution
Report results
Analyze and write up results with appropriate data tables and/or graphs and interpret the results
based on theories you learned.
References
Include minimum of five references. Text books you have used in your studies are appropriate.
Use APA style for citations and reference page.
 Case Study Rubric

Elements/Standards Not Met (1) Met (2) Target (3) Score

Evaluate
Describe the Does not describe the Attempts to Clearly identifies
student(s) and why student(s) or identify identify the the problem and
they were chosen for the concept nor concept and thoroughly
the case study. researches/or write attempts to researches/writes
Identify and describe the concept research/write the issue. The
the concept within an the concept NCSS Theme at
NCSS theme that is issue is clearly
not being understood. addressed.
Collect data on
current performance.
Analyze
Consider the prior Does not analyze the Analyzes some Clearly
student work using data or define why the of the data and formulates the
appropriate data student is having recognizes the problem the
analysis, collection difficulty. student student is having
and explanations to difficulty. based on
define why the student thorough analysis
is having difficulty. of the data using
Include student tables or graphs.
examples and data
tables or graphs to
demonstrate the issue.
Describe Environment
Describe the Does not adequately Describes the Clearly describes
classroom describe the classroom classroom
management and classroom management management and
instruction techniques management and and teaching teaching
used to teach prior teaching techniques techniques techniques used
lessons and how these used. used. with great detail.
may be influencing
current performance.
Propose a Solution
Propose a method Proposes no strategies Proposes Proposes
based on your to assist the student. limited comprehensive
research of current classroom classroom
student work and management or management
educational theories teaching and/or teaching
that you could use to strategies to strategies based
aid the student(s) to assist the on research to
understand the student. assist the student.
concept. Use your
training to determine
potential causes for
misconceptions.
Implement
Try your new method Does develop Attempts to Clearly writes
of instruction. classroom develop classroom
Describe how data management or classroom management and
will be collected and teaching strategies to management or teaching
analyzed based on the address the student’s teaching strategies to
proposed solution issues. strategies to address the
address the student’s issues
student’s issues. and a data
collection method
to document it.
Report results
Analyze and write up Does not analyze the Minimally Thoroughly
results with classroom analyzes the analyzes the
appropriate data tables management or classroom classroom
and/or graphs and instruction techniques management or management and
interpret the results instruction instruction
based on theories you techniques used techniques and
learned. and provides supports this with
some data.. data tables and/or
graphs.
References
Include minimum of Does not include Includes five Exceeds the
five references. Text references references minimal five
books you have used required
in your studies are references
appropriate. Use APA
style for citations and
reference page.

Revised 5/10/16