Grading Rubrics

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Rubrics represent criteria used to grade a variety of assignments and other classroom activities in a way that provides transparency to learners. Specifically, some of the benefits of grading rubrics to learners include:

  • clearer assignments expectations
  • more objective grading that is aligned with learning objectives 
  • improved fairness and consistency in grading among learners
  • reducing learners' anxiety about the subjectivity of grading

There are also benefits to instructors which include:

  • a more objective evaluation process by viewing learner performance through previously identified and expressed standards
  • more efficient and effective grading
  • improved clarity of assignment/activity development and instructions to learners
  • enhanced constructive written feedback
  • reduced learner complaints about perceived subjectivity of grading and associated grade challenges

While it is considered a best practice to use grading rubrics and explicit grading criteria for these reasons, the associated rating scales don't always provide the level of detailed feedback that will allow the learner to know how to improve. Therefore, it is important to remember that rubrics should not be used in isolation. Rather, they can also serve as a guide to provide critical feedback to learners that elaborates on strengths and areas of growth. Below are some resources for developing grading rubrics for various courses and assignments. 

Different assignments require different grading rubrics. Review these various grading rubric sample scales to determine what works best for your context. You can then use online tools to create your own grading rubric.  

Review this CFDE resource on Creating and Using Assignment Rubrics

Peer evaluation can vary depending on the target of the evaluation. The Johns Hopkins University Center for Teaching and Learning offers this list of sample peer evaluation rubrics for presentations, individual or group projects, analytic papers, and other assignments. Peer evaluation rubrics can easily be collected by using Qualtrics or Google Forms. Contact help@sph.emory.edu to set up a Qualtrics account. 

For synchronous online courses, here is a sample online discussion rubric. For asynchronous online courses with required discussion posts, you may consider asking learners to complete their own self-assessment rubric

You can also create a rubric in Canvas. These can be saved in Speedgrader and posted directly in the grade book.