1. Rubrics

2. What is a rubric? An evaluation tool
As simple as a checklist (holistic) to highly complex (analytic)
Quality control
Provide feedback for areas of improvement
Can be developed and used by students, instructors, & administrators

3. Rubrics can be used: For assessment of an assignment
By students for self-assessment or peer assessment
For course assessment
For program assessment

4. Rubric Components Dimension/ Characteristic Exemplary Competent
Developing

5. Score of 3 Proficient
Project had a hypothesis, procedure, collected data, and analyzed results.
Project is thorough and finding(s) are in agreement with data collected.
May have minor inaccuracies that do not effect quality of project.
Score of 2
Adequate
Project may have a hypothesis, procedure, collected data, and analyzed results.
Project not as thorough as it could be; there are a few overlooked areas.
Has a few inaccuracies that effect quality of project.
Score of 1
Limited
Has several inaccuracies that effect quality of project.
Holistic Rubric entire product or assignment evaluated & scored as a single dimension or category
Source: Luft, J. (1997). Design Your Own Rubric. Science Scope, Feb. 97, p

6. Analytical Rubric multiple dimensions or categories evaluated & scored

9. Assessment rubric for open-ended concept questions.
Regassa and Morrison-Shetlar, JCST 2009

10. Assessment rubric for open-ended concept questions.
Regassa and Morrison-Shetlar, JCST 2009

11. Why is RNAse added to the initial buffer in the DNA extraction kit?
Assessment rubric for open-ended concept questions.
Why is RNAse added to the initial buffer in the DNA extraction kit?
Specifically, what does it do and when does it do it? 
Student 1 Response: cuts up the RNA into different fragments
Student 2 Response: The RNAse A was added to digest the RNA.  It is added in
the P1 [buffer].  However, it does not begin to work until the cells have been lysed
which comes from the addition of Buffer P2
Regassa and Morrison-Shetlar, JCST 2009

12. Designing a Rubric- Draft
Refer to course objectives
Choose ONE task for rubric generation (e.g. oral presentation, lab report, position paper)
Use assignment description to choose dimensions or criteria – these should be important, measurable, feasible
Select a scale & number of levels

13. Designing a Rubric - Draft
Select a scale & number of levels
novice - intermediate - advanced
exceeds expectations - meets expectations - below expectations
unacceptable - marginal - good - exemplary
excellent - quite satisfactory - needs revisions - unacceptable
novice - developing - proficient - expert
missing - poor - satisfactory - good - exceptional
almost always - often - occasionally - rarely – never
numeric scale:

14. Designing a Rubric - Draft
For each criteria, describe an acceptable or “middle” level of performance; then upper & lower levels
Hints for performance level descriptions
Look at examples of existing rubrics and adapt them.
Describe the characteristics of the “ideal” and the “worst” case. Identify the most common errors that make an example fall short of “ideal” or the qualities that make it better than the “worst” case.
Using samples of existing work, divide into levels corresponding to the levels you set. What are the qualities of the best work? The poorest work? Add descriptors to the appropriate categories.

15. Designing a Rubric - Draft
Decide on weighting/points for categories (if desired)

16. Designing a Rubric - Refine
Colleague feedback
Attempt to use with prior class results
Evaluate consistency of rubric scoring
Pilot

17. Designing a Rubric – Tools

18. Designing a Rubric – Resources
Books
Arter, J. & McTighe, J. (2001). Scoring Rubrics in the Classroom.
Huba, M.E. & Freed, J.E. (2000). Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses.
Maki, P.L. (2004). Assessing for Learning.
Levi, Antonia J. and Dannelle D. Stevens. (2004). Introduction To Rubrics: An Assessment
Tool To Save Grading Time, Convey Effective Feedback and Promote Student Learning.
Stevens, D.D. & Levi, A.J. (2005) Introduction to Rubrics.
Online Resources
Good “how to” site focusing on assessment, including rubrics
Grading & performance rubrics with links to sample rubrics
Links to rubrics samples from University of Alabama
Rubistar online primary traits analysis rubric generator
Another free online analytical rubric generator