Creating a Rubric: Tutorial

Introduction
This tutorial will guide you through the basic steps to create a grading rubric for evaluating student
performances. In this tutorial we will cover the following topics:
- What is a Rubric?
- Why use a Rubric?
- Steps to Create a Rubric
At the end of the tutorial you will find a series of templates you can use for your own grading rubrics.
They were created using Microsoft Word, and can be modified to meet your needs. Should you have
any questions about this tutorial, or would like additional information about the use of grading rubrics,
please contact lplescia@hsc.usf.edu
What is a Rubric?
In education, rubrics are a tool developed by instructors to assess the performances of their students.
This assessment tool lists the dimensions (tasks) of the performance to be evaluated, and the specific
criteria used to evaluate each dimension. It is different than a simple checklist since it also describes
the gradations of quality (levels) for each dimension of the performance to be evaluated, and assigns
a point value to each gradation of quality.

An example of a template for a rubric with 4 dimensions and 3 levels of quality:

Why use a Rubric?
Rubrics are typically used with assessments that are subjective (presentations, papers, discussions,
portfolios, essays, projects) rather than objective assessments (multiple choice, true/false or fill-in-
the-blank tests.)
Rubrics are used for many reasons, some of which include:
Rubrics make the instructors expectations clear to the students
Rubrics show students how to meet the instructors expectations i.e. what they need to do to be
successful
Rubrics help students evaluate the quality of their own work
Rubrics identify the specific elements an instructor uses to differentiate between the qualities of
performances. i.e. it helps the student answer the question why did I get a point taken off?
If more than one person is evaluating the performance, it improves the consistency and objectivity
(standardization) of grading
It may reduce the time it takes to grade if there are similiarities among comments made to students
regarding flaws or excellence in a performance
How to Create a Rubric
Creating a rubric is easy once you have taken to time to evaluate the dimesions/tasks which make up
the students performance, and the criterion you will use to evaluate it. That being said, lets begin
with the steps to create a rubric.*
The steps to create a rubric are listed in sequential order, however they can be
performed in any order as long as the rubric contains the following:
-Performance Objective
-List of dimensions to be evaluated
-Levels of gradation of quality
-Criterion and points for each level of quality
We have divided the task of creating a grading rubric into 6 steps:
1. Record the performance objective
2. Identify the dimensions/tasks comprising the performance
3. Identify the potential gradations of quality
4. Assign a point value to each gradation, and a total point value for the assessment
5. Identify the criteria for each level of quality within a dimension/task
6. Create the rubric table

Step 1: Record/write the performance objective.
Performance Objectives (also known as learning objectives) are statements which identify the specific
knowledge, skill, or attitude the learner should gain and display as a result of the instructional activity.
Performance objectives should consist of 3 elements:
-- Student Performance
-- Conditions
-- Criteria
The Student performance is the observable behavior that a student will do to demonstrate that
the lesson is learned. The conditions are the tools, resources and enviroment where the
performance will take place. The criteria is the accuracy level assigned to the performance. As
mentioned above, the rubric is the written document communicating the criteria to the student.
Below is an example of a performance statement without the criteria. (The criteria will be written in
the form of a rubric.)

You do not have to list the conditions for the student when writing the performance
statement. However, if you identify them when you are creating your course it will
help you preplan the resources you may need to generate for this performance.

Step 2: Identify the dimensions/tasks comprising the performance.
Dimensions are the broad concepts or specific tasks the student should demonstrate when performing
the activity. Dimensions can be specific tasks or they can address a variety of intellectual or cognitive
competencies that target a specific academic discipline or involve multiple disciplines. The dimensions
you use may also be defined by National Standards, degreed programs, or job-related competencies.

Examples of dimensions for a group exercise analyzing a case study may include:
Contribute to the group discussion
Take responsibility for required work
Value others viewpoints
Analyze the study cooperatively
Present the outcome in a given format
Here are a few more examples:
Example of dimensions which are specific tasks for a written project
Example of dimensions which are broad concepts for an online discussion
Example of dimensions which are broad concepts and tasks for a presentation
How many dimensions are enough? There is not clear answer. Try to fit the rubric on
1-2 pages. You will notice our examples have between 4-8 dimensions/tasks.

Step 3: Identify the potential gradations of quality.
Gradations are the descriptive levels of quality starting with the worst quality up to the best quality.

--Example of a 3 level gradation: poor, average, excellent
--Example of a 4 level gradation: beginning, developing, accomplished, exemplary
--Example of a 5 level gradation: poor, fair, average, very good, excellent
The gradations of quality may or may not be listed on the actual rubric. You can
have different gradations for the dimensions listed, but this may be confusing to the
student.
Step 4: Assign a point value to each gradation, and a total point value for the assessment.
Assign a point value to each gradation of quality, and identify the total point value for the assessment.
If you already know the total number of points for this assessment...
Divide the total number of points by the number of dimensions to get the maximum point value for
achieving the highest gradation for a dimension. For example, if the assessment is worth 15 points,
and there are 5 dimensions, the highest gradation will be worth 3 points. Each gradation below this
highest level should be valued at less than the 3 points.
If you do not have a total number of points for this assessment...
Identify the maximum number of points for achieving the highest level of quality. Assign a number to
each of the lower levels of quality. Typically, the gradations are in increments of 1 point. Multiply the
maximum point value by the total number of dimensions. This is the total point value for the
assessment. For example, if you have 3 levels (poor, average, excellent) the highest level is worth 3
points, the middle level is worth 2 points and the lowest level is worth 1 point. If there are 7
dimensions, the total point value for this assessment is 21 points.
See an example of a rubric with points assigned to the 3 levels of quality
Although most rubrics have at least 1 point for the lowest value, you can have a zero
for the lowest gradation.

Step 5: Identify the criteria for each level of quality within a dimension/task.
Start with the best quality of each dimension. Simply list the specific expectations you have for the
student. Then, for each level below the best quality, identify the flaws or missing elements which will
cause the student to lose points off the best quality performance.
View a rubric with criteria for a written research proposal project
View a rubric with criteria for an online discussion
View a rubric with criteria for an oral presentation
Avoid negative language when listing the criteria. Instead try to identify the specific
criteriawhich is missing, or flaw so they know why they were assessed with a lower
quality performance.

Step 6: Create the rubric table.
Your rubric will be a table. Each dimension should be in a separate row, and each gradation of quality
should be in a separate column. Provide a place at the top of the rubric for your performance
statement, an extra row for the header, and a column on the left to list the dimensions. If you plan to
use this rubric as a method of feedback to the students. Create an additional column on the right side
of the page where you can place the point values earned for each dimension. We have created a few
templates as a starting point.
Download a template with 3 gradations of quality
Download a template with 4 gradations of quality
Download a template with 5 gradations of quality
Note: You can modify these templates to meet your needs.
You do not have to list the descriptive words for each quality degradation, only the
points they will earn if they meet this level of quality.