How do they grade writing prompts on the ISTEP? - Answers

I am a 5th grade teacher and went to a training on how to get the kids to pass the writing prompts on ISTEP. Here is what I have heard... The state uses Kelly temps to come in and read the student's writing prompts. Most have teaching degrees but many do not. So the same guy that was packing urinal cakes in boxes last week, is grading your student's test this week. Although the test states that length is not taken into account of the grade they look for a 2 page minimum. The next thing they look for is indentations for each paragraph. So if you are a teacher and you want to try and get your student's a better score push them to write AT LEAST 2 pages and indent.