Rubric

A Rubric is a tool that delineates evaluation criteria and performance expectations articulated as benchmarks for levels of achievement for an assignment, piece or work, or activity. Rubrics are usually mapped out in the form of a table with rows and columns. The rows correspond to the various evaluation criteria of an assignment. The columns correspond to the levels of achievement expressed for each criterion. A description and [usually] a point value for each cell in the rubric define the evaluation and score of an assignment. Criteria (rows) can be differentially weighted to reflect their relative importance. Rubrics enhance teaching and learning most effectively when: a) they are shared with students before they begin an assignment or activity; and b) they are shared with students along with specific feedback following an assignment or activity.