Rubrics are assessment tools designed by an instructor that offer scoring categories for specifically defined performance criteria. The most effective rubrics are tailor made for each activity or project to be assessed. By sharing rubrics with your students, you are providing them with guidelines to assist them in completing their assignments.

As an instructor, you may use rubrics as checklists to maintain focus on the item to be assessed. You may provide your students with the same or similar rubrics for peer- or self-assessment.

Samples

• A rubric might be a simple continuum:

• A rubric might be verbal rather than numerical:

• Failure to meet objective
• Poor execution
• Average performance
• Good job
• Excellent execution

Additional resources on creating and using rubrics can be found in the Related Links section at the end of this topic.