Academics · Subject Resources

Your rubric, read
as a to-do list.

A rubric already says what a better paper looks like. Copy each row in with the points you earned and the comment, and the interpreter ranks the rows by points lost, points out the rows under 70 percent and the ones with no comment, and helps you write one change and one question before the next draft.

Read a rubricWhat you get

Rubrics

The worked example is made up: a ninth-grade argument essay, a history research paper with a scoring slip to check, and a short story. Saved on this device only.

Loading the rubric form. If nothing appears, turn on JavaScript.

What you get

Academics · Subject ResourcesFree

What you finish with
A record per graded paper: the assignment, class, kind of writing, date back and whether it can be revised; each rubric row with level, points and comment; the one change, a question for the teacher and a due date; five checks. Totals the points, ranks rows by points lost and prints a one-page revision plan.
Who it is for
Middle school, high school and college students working from a scored writing rubric, and the parents and tutors who help them.
Format
Browser organizer with a saved record per rubric. Prints the revision plan, the full record, every rubric in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Subject Resources space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Copy each rubric row in, with both numbers.
  2. Look at the costliest row first.
  3. Read the level just above yours.
  4. Write one change and one question.
  5. Print the plan and keep it with the draft.

Read a rubric

Reading a rubric

How to read one rubric rowPart of the rowWhat it tells youThe criterionWhat the teacher is grading in this rowThe level you reachedThe box that describes your paper nowThe level above itYour exact target for the next draftPoints lostPossible minus earned: where to startThe commentWhere in your paper the problem showsHow to read one rubric rowThe criterionWhat it tells you: What the teacher isgrading in this rowThe level you reachedWhat it tells you: The box thatdescribes your paper nowThe level above itWhat it tells you: Your exact target forthe next draftPoints lostWhat it tells you: Possible minusearned: where to startThe commentWhat it tells you: Where in your paperthe problem shows
The level just above yours is the most useful sentence on the rubric.

Start where the points are

Most rubrics weight some rows more than others. A row worth 8 points that you scored 5 on costs more than a 4-point row scored 3. Ranking by points lost, not by the lowest level name, tells you where an hour of revision pays off.

Read up one level

The descriptor one level above yours is a plain description of what to add. If the level you reached says a paper “summarizes evidence” and the next says it “explains how evidence supports the claim”, the revision is to add that explanation after each piece of evidence.

Ask a specific question

“Why did I get a 5?” is hard to answer. “What would move my reasoning from Developing to Proficient?” points at one row and one level, and usually gets a concrete example back.

Sources

  1. Brookhart, S. M. (2013). How to Create and Use Rubrics for Formative Assessment and Grading. ASCD.
  2. Andrade, H. G. (2000). Using rubrics to promote thinking and learning. Educational Leadership, 57(5), 13–18.
  3. Wiliam, D. (2011). Embedded Formative Assessment. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
  4. Your teacher’s rubric and revision policy for the assignment.

The worked example is made up. Totals use only rows with both numbers; a row scored above its maximum is left out until you correct it. Grading and revision policies are your teacher’s. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.