Rubrics are multidimensional sets of scoring guidelines that can be used to provide consistency in evaluating student work. They specifically describe scoring criteria so that multiple reviewers, using the same rubric, arrive at the same score.
Why use Rubrics?
Help educators set goals
Communicate expectations to students (and thus, demystify grades)
Causes assessment of student work to be more consistent among various reviewers
Rubrics can be created in a variety of forms and levels of complexity, however, they all contain common features which:
Focus on measuring a stated objective (performance, behavior, or quality)
Use a range to rate performance
Contain specific performance characteristics arranged in levels indicating the degree to which a standard has been met
Examples of Rubrics
A Rubric Template (from the College of Education at San Diego State University)
Multimedia Rubric (from MidLink magazine)
Rubric Generators
Rubistar - View samples/build rubrics based upon templates (free)
Teachnology - View samples/build rubrics - K-12 based ($29.99/year)
Tech4Learning - View samples/build rubrics (free)