Using Student Assessment Rubrics

When used as an assessment, rubrics are defined as “exemplars.” In educator terms, an exemplar is the acceptable standard for any quiz, activity or project.

While designing lessons, well established goals along with activities and assessments indicate to the student what the end result will look like.

Today’s students rarely read directions. They like things that can be touched, grasped and to which they can relate. Student assessment rubrics indicate what students should be able to do, as well as, what they can expect so that they are best able to grade themselves. And, students can learn to conduct their own assessments and when they know how to do so, will often successfully critique their own work more accurately than their teacher might do so.

Rubrics ultimately provide students a written explanation of expectations and give them the individualized information to master learning goals. Furthermore, by using rubrics as a means to collect assessment data, we empower students to seek assistance their weak areas.

Student assessment rubrics can be used for daily writing prompts, daily journals, and daily grammar exercises.

Tell us about your experiences of using rubrics in your classroom.

From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Formative Assessment