The Power and Pain of Rubrics

I remember when I first started teaching at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in Brooklyn; I knew I wanted to teach, but I had not taken one educational class, so I didn't know how to teach. I got my feet wet during the two years I spent there, and after that I learned that keeping lesson plans is a vital part of teaching. It wasn't until my third year teaching (my first year at James Madison High School in Brooklyn) that I realized just how valuable rubrics could be. The first time my direct supervisor asked me, "let me see the rubric," my heart leaped into my throat. Rubric? What is that?

Thus began my rubric creation. I can honestly say that on more than one occasion, a rubric has saved my butt. When I create a rubric for any assignment, I provide my students with a copy before they begin. I stick to those rules, and the rubrics provide me with a formulaic tool for assessment. If a student (or, more frequently, a parent) complains about a grade, I can point to the rubric. On more than one occasion, a general homework rubric, which I always distribute in the beginning of the school year, has provided sufficient argument to support grades I have given and to set standards.

Of course, there's the down side to the rubric. First, rubrics must be constantly updated. My rubrics often change to meet unforeseen demands or to correct errors in assessment. I've also heard the phrase, "it's not on the rubric" many, many times; I can't reward or penalize for something if it's not on the rubric because I'd be breaking a written promise to "stick to the standards" when grading an assignment. God forbid I ever do that!

Still, I tend to favor the positive side of the rubric. It certainly allows me to set the standards, and it does make grading assignments a heck of a lot easier!

If you'd like a quick, easy wat to create rubrics, try Rubistar. It allows you to create a rubric for almost anything, then download it to your computer or share it on the web.

I also found this video on YouTube in which an author discusses her book about writing rubrics.