How to make a grading rubric students understand
List three to five things you'll grade (the criteria), choose three or four levels (such as Excellent, Good, Developing, Beginning), and describe in one line what work looks like at each level. Share the rubric when you set the assignment, not when you hand it back.
No account needed to edit.
Templates to start from
Grading rubric
Four criteria × four levels, a score out of 16 and a comments box.
Classroom form (Letter)
Writing rubric
The same grid set up for English and writing tasks.
Classroom form (Letter)
Assignment brief + rubric
The task, deadline and marking criteria together.
Classroom form (Letter)
3-2-1 reflection
A quick self-reflection to hand in with the work.
Worksheet (Letter)
Analytic vs holistic rubrics
| Type | How it works | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Analytic | A score for each criterion, added up | Most assignments; gives specific feedback |
| Holistic | One overall score from a set of descriptions | Quick grading of short tasks or drafts |
| Single-point | Describes only the target level, with space for “below” and “beyond” comments | Feedback-focused tasks and drafts |
Choosing criteria
- Three to five criteria. More than that and the rubric gets hard to use.
- Grade what the task is about: if it's a science report, the science should carry the most weight.
- Keep criteria separate: “organisation” and “paragraphing” overlap, so pick one.
- Add weights if one criterion matters more (for example, double the points for content).
Writing level descriptions
- Describe what you'd see in the work, not adjectives alone: “uses three relevant sources and explains how each supports the argument” beats “excellent use of sources”.
- Change one thing between levels (how many, how accurate, how independent) so the steps are clear.
- Write the top level first, then the lowest, then fill in the middle.
- Use student-friendly words for younger classes; “I can…” statements work well.
Example row (persuasive essay, evidence)
| 4 · Excellent | 3 · Good | 2 · Developing | 1 · Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three or more relevant pieces of evidence, each explained | Two relevant pieces of evidence, mostly explained | One piece of evidence, or evidence not explained | No evidence |
Using the rubric well
- Hand it out with the assignment and go through it together.
- Show an example piece of work and grade it with the class.
- Ask students to self-assess with the rubric before they hand in.
- Circle the descriptions that match the work and add one comment on what to do next.
How to make it in CatalogProFlow
- Open the rubricIt starts with four criteria (ideas, organisation, evidence, conventions) and four levels from 4 · Excellent to 1 · Beginning.
- Rename the criteriaClick each criterion and replace it with what matters for this task, for example “Experiment design” or “Use of sources”.
- Describe each levelType one line per cell describing what the work looks like. Change the total if you add or remove rows.
- Attach it to the taskFor university courses, the assignment brief + rubric puts the task, deadline and criteria on one page.
- Print or shareDownload a PNG free with an account, or a print-ready PDF with Teacher Pro or a one-time $2.99 unlock for that design. You can also print straight from the PDF on any home or school printer.
Questions
What are the parts of a rubric?
Criteria (what you grade), performance levels (such as 4 to 1), descriptions of the work at each level, and points or a total.
How many levels should a rubric have?
Three to five. Four levels are common and avoid an easy middle option.
How do I turn rubric points into a grade?
Add the points and divide by the total (12 out of 16 is 75%), then use your school's grading scale. Some teachers set a conversion table so a 3 on every criterion equals a solid pass.
Can I edit the rubric criteria?
Yes. Every criterion, level and description is editable text.
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