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Types of rubrics

Although there are thousands of variations, rubrics can generally be sorted into one of two groups: holistic rubrics and list rubrics.

 

Types of holistic rubrics include

• Grid rubrics,
• Mixed-criteria rubrics, and
• Open-column rubrics.

 

Types of list rubrics include

• Checklists,
• Combination rubrics, and
• Total points rubrics.

 

 

Types of holistic rubrics

Grid rubrics

Grid rubrics are designed in rows and columns, with each row describing a different characteristic of a task, product, or performance and each column describing a different level of quality. The rows (characteristics) and columns (levels of quality) intersect to form a grid that describes the characteristics expected for each level of quality.

Click here to see an example of a grid rubric.

Mixed-criteria rubrics

Mixed-criteria rubrics have only one column, with several rows describing the various levels of quality (usually with the highest at the top and the lowest at the bottom). Each row lists the level of quality and then all of the characteristics of a task, product, or performance at that level.

Click here to see an example of a mixed-criteria rubric.

Open-column rubrics

Open-column rubrics have just one row, with several columns describing the various levels of quality. It appears similar to the grid rubric, but it does not have the row descriptors in the leftmost column. Instead, each column includes a more detailed description of a particular level of quality.

Open-column rubrics are particularly effective when used to describe concepts or skills which students improve or develop. In this case, the column describing the lowest level of quality may include items considered "basic". The next level would include all of the basic items as well as a few more intermediate skills. The highest level would include both basic and intermediate skills as well as more advanced skills.

Click here to see an example of an open-column rubric.

Types of list rubrics

Checklists

Checklist rubrics are simply lists of criteria that are checked off as completed. They are often used to make clear the specific directions or procedures that need to be followed or to spell out everything that needs to be included in an assignment or project.

Strengths

Checklists are simple and straightforward, and they show students exactly what must be done or what an end products must be like. Checklists are particularly effective for students who are learning or practicing various skills, as they provide the details of how to proceed.

Weaknesses

Because they are simply "check-off" forms, checklists do not allow teachers to identify different levels of quality. There is only one expectation for students (when completing assignments) and teachers (when evaluating assignments), and that is "done".

Combination rubrics

Combination rubrics include methods for both detailed feedback, a la the checklist, and bigger picture evaluation, as with holistic rubrics. The list of grading criteria is grouped under major category headings. While the categories are graded on a more holistic scale, the details beneath each are marked with a plus or minus to show areas of strength and weakness.

Strengths

Because of their dual nature, combination rubrics are often the most instructive type of rubric. They provide students with the detailed feedback they need to improve, while giving them a bigger-picture view of their overall progress. Plus, by organizing grading criteria into major and subcriteria, combination rubrics help present difficult or complex information more clearly.

Weaknesses

The major weakness of combination rubrics is that their rating scales may be somewhat subjective. If the major categories of a combination rubric are rated on a numbered scale, for example, different numbers may mean different things to different studentsand often nothing close to what the teacher intends. (This is particularly true at the beginning of the year, before students have learned what each rating means. Teachers can avoid this problem by providing a key to their rating scale and using the same scale throughout the year.)

Click here to see an example of a combination rubric.

Total points rubrics

Total points rubrics are very similar to combination rubrics, in that they have major criteria that is scored holistically, with specific details underneath that are marked to indicate strengths and weaknesses. The major difference between combination rubrics and total points rubrics is that each category of a total points rubric is assigned a certain number of points which are then added together to produce a total score.

Strengths

Total points rubrics work well if you want to weight certain parts of an assignment, giving more credit for some parts than others. Total points rubrics also help communicate to students which areas are more or less important on an assignment, helping to better focus their efforts.

Weaknesses

With a total points rubric in hand, it is easy for students to lose focus on the meaningfulness of the assignment or the satisfaction of doing it well, and instead turn their efforts toward maximizing point values. When this happens, students may be less likely to try new strategies or experiment with ideas.

Click here to see an example of a total points rubric.