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# I'm new to rubrics – Can you tell me more?

# I’m new to rubrics — can you tell me more?

**Short answer:** A rubric is a scoring guide. It spells out what “good” looks like for an assignment by listing the **criteria** you’ll grade (e.g., Focus, Evidence, Organization, Style), the **performance levels** (e.g., 1–4 or 1–5), and the **descriptors** that define each level. Rubrics make grading faster, clearer, and fairer—for both teachers and students.

### Why rubrics matter
* **Clarity for students:** They see the target before they start, not after they submit.  
* **Consistency for teachers:** Scores are anchored to agreed descriptors, not mood or guesswork.  
* **Actionable feedback:** Each criterion explains what to improve next time.  
* **Team alignment:** Departments and PLCs can calibrate expectations across courses and grade bands.

### Why the AI needs a rubric (how EssayGrader uses it)
Our AI isn’t “guessing.” It evaluates the student writing **against your rubric**:
* **Criteria mapping:** The model looks for evidence that corresponds to each criterion (e.g., claim quality, coherence, textual support).
* **Descriptor matching:** It selects the **best-fit level** using your exact wording (that’s why detailed descriptors are important).
* **Scale & weights:** It applies your point scale (whole or half points) and your criterion weights to compute the final score.
* **Comments:** It generates criterion-specific feedback aligned to the level chosen, so comments reflect your standards, not generic tips.

| **Tip:** If you duplicate a Platform Rubric, keep the descriptors rich and specific—AI performance improves when the rubric is explicit.

### Anatomy of a good rubric
* **Clear criteria:** Measure distinct skills (e.g., don’t combine “grammar” and “evidence” in one line).  
* **Ordered levels:** 4- or 5-point scales are most common (we support others too).  
* **Rich descriptors:** Use evidence-based language (“integrates relevant, well-cited sources”) instead of vague terms (“good evidence”).  
* **Weights that reflect priority:** If Argument quality matters most, give it more weight than Conventions.

### Common rubric “types” you’ll see in our library
These mirror real-world standards and the rubrics teachers use most:

* **Informative / Explanatory:** Explains a topic clearly and accurately; emphasizes structure, development, and clarity of ideas.  
* **Argumentative / Opinion:** Makes a claim, supports it with reasons and evidence, addresses counterclaims. (Elementary often says “Opinion.”)  
* **Narrative:** Tells a story with purpose; looks at plot, setting, character, pacing, and technique.  
* **Expository (state-specific term):** Often overlaps with Informative/Explanatory in some programs (e.g., Florida B.E.S.T.).  
* **Descriptive (samples):** Focuses on sensory detail and precision of language.  
* **Reading Response / From Sources:** Analyzes or synthesizes information from provided texts (e.g., NY Regents Part 2/3).  
* **Language / Conventions:** Grammar, usage, mechanics, and control of language; sometimes its own criterion or rubric (e.g., Utah RISE Conventions).  
* **Content-Area Writing:** Argument or explanation in non-ELA subjects (mirrors CCSS content-area rubrics).  
* **Program-specific tasks:**  
* **AP:** DBQ (document-based), LEQ (long essay).  
* **IB MYP:** Criterion-based across subjects (Arts, Design, Sciences, Language & Literature, etc.), with Year/Phase progressions.  
* **Alternate assessments (e.g., MSAA):** Level-based rubrics tailored to accessibility needs and alternate standards.

### Why there are different standards (states, consortia, and programs)
Education in North America uses multiple frameworks. That’s why our Platform Rubrics are grouped by **State or Curriculum**:

* **State programs (e.g., CAASPP, STAAR, MCAP, ILEARN, ISASP):** States adopt specific standards, grade bands, and task types.  
* **SBAC states:** Several states use **SBAC** rubrics under local branding (e.g., “OSAS” in Oregon). Titles differ; the skill expectations are closely aligned.  
* **Common Core (CCSS):** Grade-band rubrics (e.g., 6–8, 9–10, 11–12) for Argument, Informative, Narrative, Reading Response, Language Skills, including content-area variants.  
* **AP/College Board & IB:** National/international programs with their own task types and criteria sets.  
* **Alternate assessments (MSAA):** Standards designed for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities—scales and descriptors reflect those aims.

|| **Bottom line:** Pick the rubric that matches your **task** (argument, narrative, etc.) **and** your **context** (state test, AP course, IB year/phase, department standard).

### Choosing the right rubric (quick guide)
* **Start with the task:** Argument? Informative? Narrative? From sources?  
* **Match the context:** Use your state or program’s rubric when you’re prepping for those assessments.  
* **Check the grade band:** Choose the band that fits your students (e.g., CCSS 9–10 vs 11–12).  
* **Adjust weights:** Emphasize what you value (e.g., more weight on Evidence for research tasks).  
* **Duplicate and customize:** Tweak descriptors to include assignment-specific expectations and examples.

### Where to find and customize rubrics in EssayGrader
* Go to **Rubrics → Create Rubric**.  
* Choose **Use a template** and open the **Platform** section.  
* **Preview** a rubric. Click **Use** to run it as-is, or **Duplicate** to edit the scale, weights, criterion names, and descriptors.

## FAQ

**Can I mix criteria from different rubrics?**  
Yes—duplicate one rubric as your base, then add or replace criteria from others.

**Do I have to match my state exactly?**  
Whether you are required to use a specific rubric for assessment may vary from state to state or country/jurisdiction. Using a state-specific rubric can help for test prep, in particular. But many teachers start with a state rubric, then customize to their course or assignment.

**What scale should I use?**  
4- or 5-point is common. We support half points and other scales—pick what matches your assessment needs.

**Will AI grading still work if I customize?**  
Yes. The AI reads your custom descriptors and scores accordingly—in fact, that’s exactly the point of using a rubric!

**What about equity and bias?**  
Transparent, descriptor-based criteria reduce inconsistency. Calibrate with colleagues and keep exemplars on hand.

### Next step
Open the **Platform Rubrics** tab in the Rubrics Library, pick the rubric that matches your **task type** and **program/context**, and **use** it or **duplicate** it to make it your own.