To answer this assessment, students must examine the source information and consider the context in which these documents were created. They must recognize that Senate hearings are typically conducted over an issue of public concern and then explain that these hearings most likely indicate public opposition to the war. They must also recognize that writers rarely submit letters to the editor on issues about which there is broad consensus and explain that Funston's attempt to counter critics of the war is evidence of public opposition to the war.
Level: Proficient
Student addresses a relevant aspect of the document and explains how it provides evidence of public opposition to the war.
Question 1
This student connects the Senate investigation to broader public sentiment.
Instead of focusing solely on the content of O'Brien's testimony, the student has carefully considered the circumstances in which the testimony was given.
Question 2
This student accurately identifies language in Funston's letter that suggests public opposition to the war.
This student uses contextual information to infer that Funston's efforts to build support for the war were a response to public opposition.
Level: Emergent
Student addresses a relevant aspect of the document but does not provide a complete explanation of how the document is evidence of public opposition to the war.
Question 1
This answer is heading in the right direction, but the student has not explained why this shows that many Americans opposed the war.
Question 2
The student identifies an appropriate aspect of the document but does not explain how it demonstrates that many Americans opposed the war.
This is an example of an excerpt to cite from Funston's letter. Unfortunately, the student does not explain its relevance.
Level: Basic
Student does not explain how the document provides evidence of public opposition to the war.
Question 1
Instead of considering why O'Brien was testifying, this student only attends to the content of the testimony.
This answer summarizes shocking aspects of the testimony but does not answer the question.
Question 2
This student fixates on Funston's prejudiced portrayal of Filipinos and does not consider why Funston was writing a letter supporting the war effort.
This student chooses to evaluate the content of Funston's letter rather than consider why Funston was writing it. As a result, the student misses the contextual clues that point to public opposition to the war.
