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April 2015 <br />Proposed Changes to HRC Essay Contest <br />Rationales for change: <br />The past contest was difficult for teachers to support given: <br />• Fall deadline <br />• Topic was not always aligned with curriculum <br />• Insufficient student access to computer lab for word-processing <br />• Students found the required reference to too many source documents (LJN Universal <br />Declaration of HR, US Constitution, and the US Bill of Rights) burdensome. <br />To be more inclusive and invite greater participation, we recommend the <br />following: <br />o Expand the types of entries that are allowed <br />o Expand eligible grades <br />o Require reference to only one human rights document <br />o Announce the contest early in the school year and set a late spring deadline <br />0 4 award divisions: <br />Grade 6-8 <br />Prose (Essay, Poetry, Story) <br />Art (Collage, Drawing, Painting, Photography) <br />Grade 9-12 <br />Prose (Essay, Poetry, Story) <br />Art (Collage, Drawing, Painting, Photography) <br />Considerations: <br />How to assess: <br />We might choose to apply other contests' criteria, such as: <br />Art: <br />Criteria for judging are adherence to the contest theme, originality of concept and <br />design, appeal, technique, and craftsmanship. (Fairfax) <br />Judging will be done based upon: (A) interpretation or expression of the Article, (B) <br />originality and creativity, and (C) overall impression. Commissioners will judge each <br />of these three categories by awarding points from 1 through 10 with 10 being <br />excellent. Individual scores from commissioners will be totaled for a final score on <br />each artwork. (Maplewood) <br />Expression of the theme, the clarity of the message, the quality of the art, its <br />attractiveness, usage of the whole sheet of paper and the correct spelling of any text. <br />(Shoreview) <br />Literary: <br />Criteria for judging are adherence to the contest theme, originality, persuasiveness, <br />and quality of writing (grammar, organization, and style). (Fairfax) <br />Creativity and Originality <br />Persuasiveness <br />