There are many prepared instrument to assess student writing, from standardized tests to instruments created to help teachers through computer grading programs. Research indicates that the best assessment of a writer's use of and control over the strategic processes of writing is the quality of the writing produced. Although there has been a general move to use writing tests initiated by prompts, few tests also offer writers choice of topic or opportunities to return to their initial drafts, factors that influence the quality of the writing. 

Click on the links below to view assessment approaches as sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English Writing Initiative.

Writing Assessment: A Position Statement

https://ncte.org/statement/writingassessment/

Writing Programs/Assessments (from portfolios to rubrics)

http://www.ncte.org/policy-research/wwk/assess

https://www.literacyworldwide.org/docs/default-source/resource-documents/standards-for-the-assessment-of-reading-and-writing.pdf

Writing in the Early Grades


https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2017/emergent-writing

https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/practiceguide/writing_pg_062612.pdf

Writing in the Intermediate Grades

The article at the following link offers writing assessment ideas for grades 3-5 (scroll down to 'Assessment Ideas for Grades 3-5).

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/informal-reading-and-writing-assessment-ideas/