# data[].attributes.headline
Example of something you might write... 

# data[].attributes.subject
Example of something you might write... 

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/MsKrierTeaches/status/957729670383857664

# data[].attributes.body
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DhsYlzlUEAEzbwt.jpg

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/edutopia/status/1020090567836004352

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/ShawnCRubin/status/1026853084666978304

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/rich_wiles/status/909865036805496832?s=20

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.text
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool.  https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.original_text
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool.  https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool. https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259
— Howard Pitler  (@hpitler) January 17, 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props_source.data.text
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool.  https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool.  https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric @Edutopia I am a big fan of #rubrics ,but this might be an even better reflective tool.  https://t.co/uB97mF1gk5 #edchat @tratruly @winey02 @duckmo73 @AThompson259

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As educators, we know the power of a good rubric. Well-crafted rubrics facilitate clear and meaningful communication with our students and help keep us accountable and consistent in our grading. They're important and meaningful classroom tools.

Usually when we talk about rubrics, we're referring to either a holistic or an analytic rubric, even if we aren't entirely familiar with those terms. A holistic rubric breaks an assignment down into general levels at which a student can perform, assigning an overall grade for each level. For example, a holistic rubric might describe an A essay using the following criteria: "The essay has a clear, creative thesis statement and a consistent overall argument. The essay is 2-3 pages long, demonstrates correct MLA formatting and grammar, and provides a complete works cited page." Then it would list the criteria for a B, a C, etc.

An analytic rubric would break each of those general levels down even further to include multiple categories, each with its own scale of success-so, to continue the example above, the analytic rubric might have four grades levels, with corresponding descriptions, for each of the following criteria points: thesis, argument, length, and grammar and formatting.

Both styles have their advantages and have served many classrooms well. However, there's a third option that introduces some exciting and game-changing potential for us and our students.

The single-point rubric offers a different approach to systematic grading in the classroom. Like holistic and analytic rubrics, it breaks the aspects of an assignment down into categories, clarifying to students what kinds of things you expect of them in their work. Unlike those rubrics, the single-point rubric includes only guidance on and descriptions of successful work-without listing a grade, it might look like the description of an A essay in the holistic rubric above. In the example below, you can see that the rubric describes what success looks like in four categories, with space for the teacher to explain how the student has met the criteria or how he or she can still improve.

A single-point rubric outlines the standards a student has to meet to complete the assignment; however, it leaves the categories outlining success or shortcoming open-ended. This relatively new approach creates a host of advantages for teachers and students. Implementing new ideas in our curricula is never easy, but allow me to suggest six reasons why you should give the single-point rubric a try.

1. It gives space to reflect on both strengths and weaknesses in student work. Each category invites teachers to meaningfully share with students what they did really well and where they might want to consider making some adjustments.

2. It doesn't place boundaries on student performance. The single-point rubric doesn't try to cover all the aspects of a project that could go well or poorly. It gives guidance and then allows students to approach the project in creative and unique ways. It helps steer students away from relying too much on teacher direction and encourages them to create their own ideas.

3. It works against students' tendency to rank themselves and to compare themselves to or compete with one another. Each student receives unique feedback that is specific to them and their work, but that can't be easily quantified.

4. It helps take student attention off the grade. The design of this rubric emphasizes descriptive, individualized feedback over the grade. Instead of focusing on teacher instruction in order to aim for a particular grade, students can immerse themselves in the experience of the assignment.

5. It creates more flexibility without sacrificing clarity. Students are still given clear explanations for the grades they earned, but there is much more room to account for a student taking a project in a direction that a holistic or analytic rubric didn't or couldn't account for.

6. It's simple! The single-point rubric has much less text than other rubric styles. The odds that our students will actually read the whole rubric, reflect on given feedback, and remember both are much higher.

You'll notice that the recurring theme in my list involves placing our students at the center of our grading mentalities. The ideology behind the single-point rubric inherently moves classroom grading away from quantifying and streamlining student work, shifting student and teacher focus in the direction of celebrating creativity and intellectual risk-taking.

If you or your administrators are concerned about the lack of specificity involved in grading with a single-point rubric, Jennifer Gonzales of Cult of Pedagogy has created an adaptation that incorporates specific scores or point values while still keeping the focus on personalized feedback and descriptions of successful work. She offers a brief description of the scored version along with a very user-friendly template.

While the single-point rubric may require that we as educators give a little more of our time to reflect on each student's unique work when grading, it also creates space for our students to grow as scholars and individuals who take ownership of their learning. It tangibly demonstrates to them that we believe in and value their educational experiences over their grades. The structure of the single-point rubric allows us as educators to work toward returning grades and teacher feedback to their proper roles: supporting and fostering real learning in our students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
6 Reasons to Try a Single-Point Rubric | Edutopia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As educators, we know the power of a good rubric. Well-crafted rubrics facilitate clear and meaningful communication with our students and help keep us accountable and consistent in our grading. They're important and meaningful classroom tools.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.text
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It
https://t.co/rAu9Rzr523
#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.original_text
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It
https://t.co/rAu9Rzr523
#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix Ithttps://t.co/rAu9Rzr523#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics
— Cult of Pedagogy (@cultofpedagogy) January 25, 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props_source.data.text
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It
https://t.co/rAu9Rzr523
#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It
https://t.co/rAu9Rzr523
#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
Your Rubric is a Hot Mess; Here's How to Fix It
https://t.co/rAu9Rzr523
#assessment #feedback #rubrics #singlepointrubrics

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/cultofpedagogy/status/956348427725664257

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/cultofpedagogy/status/956348427725664257

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/hashtag/singlepointrubrics?src=hash

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/MrRooBKK/status/911426672603181058

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.text
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.original_text
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric https://t.co/4vzl3bv1l5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric pic.twitter.com/4vzl3bv1l5
— edutopia (@edutopia) July 22, 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props_source.data.text
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric https://t.co/4vzl3bv1l5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric https://t.co/4vzl3bv1l5

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
A single-point rubric format provides students with more personalized feedback and works to keep them from focusing solely on their grade. https://t.co/Nl1pRuFFls #singlepointrubric

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whether you're new to rubrics, or you just don't know their formal names, it may be time for a primer on rubric terminology.
So let's talk about rubrics for a few minutes. What we're going to do here is describe two frequently used kinds of rubrics, holistic and analytic, plus a less common one called the single-point rubric (my favorite, for the record). For each one, we'll look at an example and explore its pros and cons.

Off we go!

A holistic rubric is the most general kind. It lists three to five levels of performance, along with a broad description of the characteristics that define each level. The levels can be labeled with numbers (such as 1 through 4), letters (such as A through F) or words (such as Beginning through Exemplary). What each level is called isn't what makes the rubric holistic - it's the way the characteristics are all lumped together.

Suppose you're an unusually demanding person. You want your loved ones to know what you expect if they should ever make you breakfast in bed. So you give them this holistic rubric:

When your breakfast is done, you simply gather your loved ones and say, "I'm sorry my darlings, but that breakfast was just a 2. Try harder next time."

The main advantage of a holistic rubric is that it's easy on the teacher - in the short run, anyway. Creating a holistic rubric takes less time than the others, and grading with one is faster, too. You just look over an assignment and give one holistic score to the whole thing.

The main disadvantage of a holistic rubric is that it doesn't provide targeted feedback to students, which means they're unlikely to learn much from the assignment. Although many holistic rubrics list specific characteristics for each level, the teacher gives only one score, without breaking it down into separate qualities. This often leads the student to approach the teacher and ask, "Why did you give me a 2?" If the teacher is the explaining kind, he will spend a few minutes breaking down the score. If not, he'll say something like, "Read the rubric." Then the student has to guess which factors had the biggest influence on her score. For a student who really tries hard, it can be heartbreaking to have no idea what she's doing wrong.

Holistic rubrics are most useful in cases when there's no time (or need, though that's hard to imagine) for specific feedback. You see them in standardized testing - the essay portion of the SAT is scored with a 0-6 holistic rubric. When hundreds of thousands of essays have to be graded quickly, and by total strangers who have no time to provide feedback, a holistic rubric comes in handy.

An analytic rubric breaks down the characteristics of an assignment into parts, allowing the scorer to itemize and define exactly what aspects are strong, and which ones need improvement.

So for the breakfast in bed example, an analytic rubric would look like this:

In this case, you'd give your loved ones a separate score for each category. They might get a 3 on Presentation, but a 2 on Food and just a 1 on Comfort. To make feedback even more targeted, you could also highlight specific phrases in the rubric, like, "the recipient is crowded during the meal" to indicate exactly what went wrong.

This is where we see the main advantage of the analytic rubric: It gives students a clearer picture of why they got the score they got. It is also good for the teacher, because it gives her the ability to justify a score on paper, without having to explain everything in a later conversation.

Analytic rubrics have two significant disadvantages, however: (1) Creating them takes a lot of time. Writing up descriptors of satisfactory work - completing the "3" column in this rubric, for example - is enough of a challenge on its own. But to have to define all the ways the work could go wrong, and all the ways it could exceed expectations, is a big, big task. And once all that work is done, (2) students won't necessarily read the whole thing. Facing a 36-cell table crammed with 8-point font is enough to send most students straight into a nap. And that means they won't clearly understand what's expected of them.

Still, analytic rubrics are useful when you want to cover all your bases, and you're willing to put in the time to really get clear on exactly what every level of performance looks like.

A single-point rubric is a lot like an analytic rubric, because it breaks down the components of an assignment into different criteria. What makes it different is that it only describes the criteria for proficiency; it does not attempt to list all the ways a student could fall short, nor does it specify how a student could exceed expectations.

A single-point rubric for breakfast in bed would look like this:

Notice that the language in the "Criteria" column is exactly the same as the "3" column in the analytic rubric. When your loved ones receive this rubric, it will include your written comments on one or both sides of each category, telling them exactly how they fell short ("runny eggs," for example) and how they excelled ("vase of flowers"). Just like with the analytic rubric, if a target was simply met, you can just highlight the appropriate phrase in the center column.

If you've never used a single-point rubric, it's worth a try. In 2010, Jarene Fluckiger studied a collection of teacher action research studies on the use of single-point rubrics. She found that student achievement increased with the use of these rubrics, especially when students helped create them and used them to self-assess their work.

The single-point rubric has several advantages: (1) It contains far less language than the analytic rubric, which means students are more likely to read it and it will take less time to create, while still providing rich detail about what's expected. (2) Areas of concern and excellence are open-ended. When using full analytic rubrics, I often find that students do things that are not described on the rubric, but still depart from expectations. Because I can't find the right language to highlight, I find myself hand-writing justifications for a score in whatever space I can find. This is frustrating, time-consuming and messy. With a single-point rubric, there's no attempt to predict all the ways a student might go wrong. Similarly, the undefined "Advanced" column places no limits on how students might stretch themselves. "If the highest level is already prescribed then creativity may be limited to that pre-determined level," says Fluckiger. "Students may surprise us if we leave quality open-ended."

The main disadvantage of single-point rubrics is that using them requires more writing on the teacher's part. If a student has fallen short in many areas, completing that left-hand column will take more time than simply highlighting a pre-written analytic rubric.

Need Ready-Made Rubrics?

My Rubric Pack gives you four different designs in Microsoft Word and Google Docs formats. It also comes with video tutorials to show you how to customize them for any need, plus a Teacher's Manual to help you understand the pros and cons of each style. Check it out here:

Sources:

Fluckiger, J. (2010). Single point rubric: A tool for responsible student self-assessment. Teacher Education Faculty Publications. Paper 5. Retrieved April 25, 2014 from http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/tedfacpub/5.

Mertler, C. A. (2001). Designing scoring rubrics for your classroom. Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 7(25). Retrieved April 30, 2014 from http://PAREonline.net/getvn.asp?v=7&n=25.
Know Your Terms is my effort to build a user-friendly knowledge base of terms every educator should know. New items will be added on an ongoing basis. If you heard some term at a PD and didn't want to admit you didn't know what it meant, send it to me via the contact form and I'll research it for you.

Keep in touch.
Join the Cult of Pedagogy mailing list and get weekly tips, tools, and inspiration-in quick, bite-sized packages-all geared toward making your teaching more effective and fun. You'll get access to my members-only library of free downloadable resources, including my e-booklet, 20 Ways to Cut Your Grading Time in Half, which has helped thousands of teachers spend less time grading!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Know Your Terms: Holistic, Analytic, and Single-Point Rubrics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whether you're new to rubrics, or you've used them for years without knowing their formal names, it may be time for a primer on rubric terminology.

# data[].attributes.body
https://twitter.com/surreallyno/status/523141162220417024

# data[].attributes.body
Rubric Example
https://twitter.com/rich_wiles/status/925816743242731520

# data[].attributes.body
Rubric Example
https://twitter.com/goformative/status/1016434601110016001

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2014/10/single-point-rubric.html