How to Create and Use Rubrics for Formative Assessment and Grading

Let me just start off this post by saying that we have MUCH to celebrate @WaukeshaNorth1 in terms of our grading for learning best practices!

Sharing learning targets with students is the foundational formative assessment strategy.  Posting these daily targets in a visible location is just about implemented with fidelity and yes, they should be posted daily.
The main purpose of rubrics is to assess performances. Where I observe the most powerful aspects of rubrics- is in their usefulness helping students to conceptualize the learning targets and to monitor their own progress. Rubrics are important because they clarify for students the qualities their work should have. They key is to make sure that rubrics focus on the learning and not on the tasks.

When rubrics clearly characterize what student work should look like, instruction, assessment, and learning improve. Remember that good rubrics are tools that the students can use to help themselves learn, they are not just for you, as the teacher. Going over the rubric with your students and collaboratively developing rubrics with your students are even more important than going over the learning task itself. The learning that is outlined in your rubric descriptors should be the most valuable part of the discussion you have with students. Make sure that it is.