Rubric Assessments are a flexible tool that can streamline collecting student work and providing structured feedback. Whether you're gathering images or videos, distributing Google Docs, or organizing submissions, rubrics offer an efficient and consistent way to assess student learning.
Here is an example of what a rubric assessment could look like for a student:
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Getting Started
Step 1: Navigate to your Assessments module.
Step 2: Select Create Assessment.
Step 3: Select Rubric from the Otus Assessment options. Enter the Assessment Name, Assessment Type, and desired Grading Scale.
Step 4: Select Create.
Rubrics can be used for grading or simply collecting and reviewing student work. The grading structure you choose—points-based or standards-based—determines how scoring is handled.
Rubric Overview: Descriptors and Attachments
Each rubric must include at least one descriptor, representing a skill or section being assessed. Rubric drafts are saved automatically and can be accessed from the Assessment Drafts page.
Descriptors work differently depending on the grading scale used. See the Build a Rubric section below for details.
Descriptor Elements
Title (Required): The focus of the descriptor. Saved to your Descriptor Bank. (200 character limit)
Description (Optional): Adds clarity or context. (1000 character limit)
Standards (Optional): Link up to 20 standards per descriptor. Linked standards auto-fill the description field.
Performance Levels: Define how student work is scored for each descriptor. Configuration varies depending on whether the rubric uses a points-based or standards-based scale—more details in Build a Rubric section.
Performance Level Descriptions (Optional): Add expectations for each scoring level. (500 character limit each)
Additional Options
Add/Delete Descriptors: Insert a new descriptor above or below an existing one or remove a descriptor if it is no longer needed.
Add/Delete Performance Levels (Points-Based only): Customize the number of scoring options (up to 10).
Collapse/Open Descriptors: Temporarily hide sections for easier navigation.
Add Additional Descriptors: Assess multiple skills or standards within one rubric.
Descriptor Bank
Descriptors are automatically saved to your Descriptor Bank. Type the first 3 characters of a title to search existing entries.
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Add Attachments
Teacher attachments are optional and are viewable by the student when they open the rubric assessment.
Step 1: Under Attachments, click the Choose file button.
Step 2: Select the type of file you wish to attach (upload).
Upload File: Choose a file from your device to upload.
Link: Link to a web resource.
Photo: Take a live photograph with your device's camera or upload one that is already saved on your device. Acceptable file types: gif, jpg, jpeg, and png.
Video: Take a live video with your device (max. length of 5 minutes) or upload one that is already saved on your device (max. file size of 30mb). Acceptable file types are mp4, mov, and webm.
YouTube: Attach a link from a Youtube video.
Audio: Record live audio with your device (max. length of 5 minutes) or upload audio that is already saved on your device (max. file size of 30mb).
Google Drive: Attach resources from your Google Drive.
Microsoft OneDrive: Attach resources from Microsoft OneDrive.
💡 Tip: Add up to 5 attachments while building the assessment. After submission, you can add 3 more per student.
Build a Rubric
Points-Based Rubric
Working on a Standards-Based Rubric? Click here!
Score student performance using numerical values.
Add Descriptors: Enter a title (required). Optionally, add a description or link standards.
Add Point Values: Create scoring levels (up to 10). Arrange from lowest (left) to highest (right).
Rubric Tip: For quick entry, delete columns and reduce to two scoring levels (e.g., 0 and 20 points).
Describe Performance Levels (Optional): Explain expectations for each point value. (500 character limit each)
Add Attachments (Optional): Add relevant resources or references.
Standards-Based Rubric
Working on a Points-Based Rubric? Click here!
Aligning performance to predefined proficiency levels.
Add Descriptors: Enter a title (required). Optionally add a description
Link Standards: Select applicable standard(s) from your district's set. Linked standards auto-fill the description field.
Note: Standards-based rubrics must include at least one linked standard to appear in the Gradebook.
Performance Levels: Automatically generated from your grading scale. Optionally, add descriptions for each level. (500 character limit each)
Add Attachments (Optional): Add relevant resources or references.
Create a Rubric in Under a Minute!
The GIF demonstrates how easily you can create a Rubric.
The GIF demonstrates how easily you can create a Rubric.
Otus Live Video
Click to view a video from our Otus Live series on how to create a rubric assessment and add attachments.
Click to view a video from our Otus Live series on how to create a rubric assessment and add attachments.
FAQ and Troubleshooting
Click to see FAQ and troubleshooting details.
Click to see FAQ and troubleshooting details.
Is there a limit to the number of descriptors that can be added to a rubric?
No, there is no designated limit to the number of descriptors allowed.
Is there a limit to the number of standards that can be linked to each descriptor?
Yes, the maximum allowed is 20 standards per descriptor row.
Is there a limit to the number of point values or performance levels that can be added for scoring each descriptor?
Yes, the maximum number of performance levels or point value scoring options is 10.
If I am using a standards-based grading scale for my rubric, can I edit titles of the performance levels or the number of performance levels?
No, the titles of performance levels for a standards-based rubric are generated automatically to match the levels set for that standards scale. You can customize the description of each performance level but cannot add or delete levels.
If I am using a points-based grading scale for my rubric, can I edit the number of performance levels?
Yes, when using a points-based grading scale, you can add or delete levels (see #8 in the section on adding descriptors above).
How can I use a rubric to collect student work that is not for a grade?
For standards-based rubrics, you can create a rubric with no standards linked, which will prevent it from appearing in the standards view of the gradebook. For points-based rubrics, you can mark the setting to exclude the assessment from the final grade calculation.
Are there file size limits and/or file type restrictions when adding images, video, and audio?
For more information on adding images, videos, and audio to Rubric Assessments, including file sizes and types, click here.
How do I save my rubric assessment draft?
Your draft is saved automatically as you are working on it, so there is no Save button that needs to be clicked. Simply return to your draft assessments page to locate it.
How do I edit or delete my rubric assessment draft?
Click here for more information on how to edit the content of your rubric assessment. Note that any changes you make will also be applied to any assigned instances of the assessment. Click here for instructions on how to delete an assessment draft that you not longer need.