What is a Rubric?

Rubrics are a way to set up custom or outcome-based assessment criteria for scoring and can be used as an assessment tool for communicating expectations of quality. Rubrics can be used for any graded coursework. Rubrics are typically comprised of rows and columns. Rows are used to define the various criteria being used to assess an assignment. Columns are used to define levels of performance for each criterion.

A Rubric can be used to:

• Communicate assessment expectations to users.
• Align pre-defined learning Outcomes to your course assessments.
• Assess online submissions in the SpeedGrader

Add a Rubric

To create a rubric for your course, click the Outcomes link on the Course Navigation menu.

From the Learning Outcomes screen, click the Manage Rubrics button.

To add the rubric, click the + Add Rubric button located on the Sidebar.

Create your rubric by using the following options to add and edit rubric criteria.

1. Rubric Title Field: Enter the title for your Rubric.
2. Edit Criteria/Rating Cells: (Hover your mouse over the bottom right corner of the cell to access the pencil icon.) Change the name of the Criteria and/or Ratings [A] and update the points awarded in the Rating Cells in the points field [B]. Click the OK button to update the cells [C]. The value in the Pts cell will automatically update [D].




3. Add Rubric Ratings: Split cells on the row as often as necessary to create the desired number of ratings. (To add a rubric rating, mouse over a cell wall and click on the double-ended arrow to split a single cell into two.)
4. Delete a Criterion: Click the X icon to delete the criterion.
5. Add Criterion: Add a new criterion to the rubric.
6. Find Outcome Criterion: Link to align course or account-level outcomes with the rubric.
7. Create Rubric:  Click the Create Rubric button.

The newly created rubric will be displayed.

Rubrics can also be created when creating a graded assignment, discussion, and/or quiz. You may also link existing rubrics to graded course work. For more information regarding this process, please refer to the Add an Assignment, Add a Discussion, and Add a Quiz/Exam help pages.