A Rubric
Active learning situations challenge teachers to determine
grades in a way that accurately reflects achievement and that is acceptable to students,
parents, and colleagues. "Rubrics" are guides for assigning scores to
alternative assessment products. Rubrics are not a form of assessment but are the criteria
for making an assessment. Rubrics encourage clear assessment targets and clear
expectations. When a rubric is well defined, learners know exactly what is expected of
them and how they may achieve a top grade. Most learners want to excel and will work hard
if they believe there is an opportunity for success. They will exert more effort and
produce more work to meet clearly expressed expectations for success.
Developing rubrics is a dynamic process. As the components and goals of instruction become clearer to the teacher, the ability to define ranges and levels of execution within the processes of the active learning experience will make the development of a rubric easier. Some teachers may require a "run through" before they are ready to finalize a rubric. With unfamiliar content, it's okay to write a rubric after the fact and save it for future reference. Even after a rubric is used, it may need modification.
HTML code by Chris Kreger
Maintained by ETE Team
Last updated January 11, 1999