Creating and Using Rubrics in the ClassroomBig TeamJanuary 10, 2006

What are rubrics? Rubrics are guides for assigning scores to

alternative assessment products. Rubrics describe levels of development in a

specific area of performance, understanding, or behavior.

Rubrics provide students with expectations about what will be assessed, standards that need to be met, and information about where students are in relation to where they need to be.

Why use rubrics? When a rubric is well defined, learners know

exactly what is expected of them and how they may achieve excellence.

Rubrics encourage clear assessment targets and clear expectations.

Rubrics provide a clear teaching directive. Because rubrics set forth precise criteria,

teachers are better able to assess skills that may fall outside the scope of traditional testing.

When shared before an assignment, rubrics can be powerful motivational tools.

Student rubrics used for self-assessment encourage learners to participate in the grading process.

Rubrics answer these questions: By what criteria will the work be judged?

What is the difference between good work and weaker work?

How can we make sure our judgments are valid and reliable?

How can both teachers and students focus their preparation on excellence?

Components of a good rubric Performance Elements : the major, critical attributes of

the assignment

Scale: the possible points to be used, high to low (example: 4-point scale or 6-point scale)

Criteria: the conditions of a performance that must be met for it to be considered successful.

Standard: a description of how well the criteria must be met for the performance to be considered "good".

Descriptors: statements that describe each level of the performance.

Indicators: specific, concrete examples or telltale signs of what to look for at each level of the performance.

(adapted from www.rubrics.com)

An example…

Chocolate Chip Cookie rubric

For more resources and links to rubric makers, go to my website:

http://www.hoover.k12.al.us/sms/SupportServices/TBensinger/index.htm