Rubric Revelation

Years ago Jennifer Gonzalez wrote on her Cult of Pedagogy blog about different kinds of assessment rubrics. Reading about single-point rubrics was a big ah-ha moment for me.

A single-point rubric breaks down an assignment into specific success criteria. Unlike analytic rubrics, which list levels for each criterion, a single-point rubric only outlines what success looks like. It leaves space for the assessor to add comments, noting areas for improvement and places where the student exceeded expectations.

Creating single-point rubrics is much quicker than building analytic ones. While they don’t let you simply circle pre-set levels, their open-ended structure allows for more creativity and personalized feedback.

As a fifth-grade teacher, I used single-point rubrics often. When it made sense, I’d have the class help define the criteria for a project. I usually included two versions of the rubric table in an assignment document—one for student self-assessment and one for me to fill out.

As a substitute teacher, I use a single-point rubric with the class in the morning to outline behavior expectations. Throughout the day, we reflect together, adding to the concerns and highlights. At the end of the day, I share the rubric with the regular teacher to give a detailed report on the class's overall behavior.