Check Sheets, Scoring Guides, and Rubrics, Oh, My!

Using grids to improve writing and reduce grading time

Key Points for Each Assignment

• Start with the learning outcomes for the assignment.

• Create a rubric or scoring guide to outline your expectations

• Define the process students should follow• Provide a check sheet for each stage of the

process based on the rubric for students to follow

Scoring Guide Basics

• Criteria-based• Value-based• Customized to each assignment• Sampled with students

Criteria-Based Scoring Guide

• Select student learning outcomes for the assignment

– Uses MLA documentation correctlyParenthetical citations Correct informationWorks Cited listPunctuation

Value-Based Scoring Guide

• Categories of quality• Range• Description

-Exceptional/Satisfactory/Needs Improvement/Unacceptable--Exceeds expectations/Meets Expectations/Does not meet expectations--Excellent/Good/Poor--Expert/Emerging/Novice/No evidence--Above Average/Average/Below Average--10 . . . 0--Strong/Adequate/Weak

MLA Documentation• Excellent Adequate

Poor

• In-Text Citations• Correct format• Works Cited list• Punctuation

Customize to Each Assignment

• Purpose• Length• Audience• Complexity• Research required

Sample with Students

• Provide rubric to students and explain.• Provide samples of student attempts at the

assignment (three of differing quality)• Small group reading aloud of each sample• Small group discussion to find consensus of each

sample’s value according to the rubric then ranking them

• Full class exchange of findings• Have students create a check sheet based on this

exercise

Grade with the Scoring Guide

• Use the same rubric your students saw.• Copy the grid for each student assignment

(which may be electronic)• Fill out the grid according to your evaluation.• Provide a space for comments and specific

directives for improvement.• Save completed grids with comments in each

class folder for future reference and term grading.

Resources• rubrics.kon.org• scoop.it/rubrics-assessment

Bean, John. Engaging Ideas: The Professor’s Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001.

Stevens, Dannelle D. Introduction to Rubrics: An Assessment Tool to Save Grading Time, Convey Effective Feedback, and Promote Student Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus, 2012.