It is important at this point to clarify what rubrics are not. We do this in order to avoid confusion and the risk of creating what you think is a rubric that is not, and in so doing get results that do not jibe with the results that we expect from a rubric.

A rubric is not

• a rating scale
  
• a grade
  
• a checklist
  
• an inventory
  
• a description
  
• it should not be an end in and of itself (more on this point later).

Rubrics should NOT be used to answer questions such as:

• What constitutes passing?
  
• Did the student do X?
  
• Did the student include X?
• Did the student get X right?

Rubrics should NOT be used to answer the question:

• What do I need to do to get an 'A'?
  
• What do I need to do to make you happy?
• What are the minimum requirements for this assignment?
• Is there one right answer and, if so, what is it?