What Are Rubrics?

A rubric is a tool used for assessing student work. It consists of criteria that
describe what is being assessed as well as different levels of performance.
Rubrics do three things:
1. The criteria in a rubric tell students what you think is important enough to
assess.
2. The levels of performance in a rubric explain exactly what work is required
at each level.
3. The language used in each level allow the teacher and students to give
specific feedback about a product or a performance.

Developing a Rubric
1. Begin with Task Description.
(Ex: write a summary, create a poster, explain a math problem).

What is the student supposed to do?

2. Decide on your scale (1-3, 1-4, ?)

Younger students do better with no more than 3 levels.
If you are going to assign grades-4=100, 3=90, 2=80, 1=70
3. Identify the criteria-the observable and measurable
characteristics for the task
How will you know it if you saw it?
What will the student know, be able to do, or demonstrate

Ex: details, academic vocabulary, facts about content area, punctuation, creativity,
cooperation, time on task, etc.

4. Describe the performance of each criterion (observable and

measurable characteristics)
Start at passing (2 or 3) and then go up and down the scale describing
the criteria for each level.
Keep language student friendly.
*need to tailor level 1 to errors you notice your class making
5. Train students to use the rubric
Model how to use the rubric
Have student use rubric with you before using it independently

6. Test the rubric and revise as needed!

Alter level 1 to be the most common errors you want to get eliminate in
your class.

Make them clearer and shorter as needed.