A rubric is an explicit set of criteria used to assess student work or performance. Rubrics provide transparency in grading, improve student engagement, promote active learning, and increase consistency in scoring. To create a rubric, determine the grading criteria, levels of achievement for each criterion, and provide measurable, brief, and clear descriptions along with an appropriate point value system. Potential pitfalls to avoid include unequal point allocation between criteria and including too many detailed criteria.

1. Rubrics
Online Learning Initiative

2. Definition
 A rubric is an explicit set of
criteria for assessing a
particular type of work or
performance.

3. Why Rubrics?
 Transparency of Grading
 Improved Student Engagement
 Promotion of Active Learning
 Increased Consistency in Scoring
 Facilitate Valid Judgment of Complex Competencies

4. Creating a Rubric

5. Step 1: Grading Criteria
 Determine your grading
criteria. What are you
grading your students on?
 Select broad categories
that cover the basic
criteria on which you
grade.

6. Step 2: Levels of Achievement
 You need to determine what your levels of achievement
are for each criterion, for instance: poor, fair, excellent;
inadequate, adequate, superior; etc.

7. Step 3: Descriptions & Point Value
 Descriptions- Keep the
description: 1) measurable,
2) brief, 3) clear
 Point Values- You have four
types of rubrics to choose
from with varying point
values: no points, points,
point range, and percent.

8. Pitfalls
 Point Allocation- Should all of the items in your rubric get
the same point allotment? Beware of inflation.
 Too Detailed- Remember you are grading with a rubric.
Over ten criteria is too many.