rubrics

I read Rethinking Rubrics in Writing Assessment  this week during the reading time. I have had doubts about rubrics for a long time and was gratified to realize that I am not alone in my doubts. I know that rubrics are a good way to help students understand the things a teacher is looking for, but they are also very limiting in how teachers can score or evaluate student writing. I also believe that rubrics cause students to “write to the rubric” without trying their best.  I don’t know of any other way to make assessment of writing easier. I really think writing assessment involves a great deal of reading, commenting, conferencing, and support for students if improvement is to happen. There’s no substitute for hard work on the part of students and teachers.