Assessment Using Rubrics
What are Instructional Rubrics?
Rubrics are written criteria that details expectations of what students will need to know and be able to do in order to receive a given grade. Rubrics help instructors to develop clear learning objectives for their students and if provided to students prior to the activity, serve to guide their efforts.- For information on rubrics, see Developing Scoring Rubrics from the Starting Point site.
- For information and a step-by-step guide, see Classroom Assessment Techniques: Scoring Rubrics
Example Grading Rubric for Papers:
A - The paper is comprehensive and focused around a particular, clearly stated thesis (or argument). The author uses a variety of sources, including at least one contemporary periodical/newspaper article and one government document. The paper contains an original analysis and combination of information. All references are cited correctly in text and in a References Cited section. The writing is excellent.
B - The thesis or problem posed in the paper is clearly stated. There are some gaps in information and a narrow range of sources, though at least one contemporary newspaper/periodical account and one government document has been used. The paper has some original thinking but is not as well focused as an A paper. All references are cited correctly in text and in a References Cited section. The writing is good.
C - The focus of the paper is unclear. There is an over-dependence on a single source and inadequate detail on important parts of subject. Writing and organization are mediocre.
D - The focus of the paper is unclear. There is an over-dependence on a single source and inadequate detail with no analysis. Writing is mediocre to poor.
Source: Intro to Environmental Geology Writing Assignment, Prof. Mary Savina, Carleton College.Geoscience Rubric Examples
- Assessment rubrics are used as an example in Assessment of Campus-Based Projects
- Rubrics are used as an assessment for the Gallery Walk Activity.
- Instructor Rubric for Written Reports (Microsoft Word 40kB Jul5 07), from Gallery Walk.
- Rubric for Research Paper: (more info) from the University of Kansas, a twelve item rubric that evaluates papers using the following criteria: purpose, content, organization, feel, tone, sentence structure, word choice, grammar, length, use of references, and reference format, from Gallery Walk.
Additional Resources
- Browse Information about Rubrics. Search our collection for information about rubrics as an assessment tool. This link will take you to a browse listing information about rubrics. You can browse through the list or search it by topic.
- Browse Rubric Examples See how other courses have incorporated rubrics in to student assessment. This link will take you to a browse listing example courses that have incorporated rubrics or sample rubrics. You can browse through the list or search it by topic.
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