Using Rubrics for Remote Learning in Grades 3-8

In March 2020, like the rest of the USA, we went fully remote.  And, like the rest of the country, we didn't know what to do about grades for the fourth quarter. Our district ended up choosing Pass/Needs Improvement.  In this model, students were given a pass if they attempted to complete any assignment over the course of their final 10 weeks in school.  Students were given a NI if they did not attempt to log on or communicate at all. This practice was inequitable and unsustainable; something had to change for the fall.  

Over the summer, I held open forums with teachers and stakeholders in our district, asking for their feedback and suggestions on a more equitable grading process.  Qualitative data collected revealed that the school community was unanimously in favor of a different system than pass/NI.  Teachers also expressed a desire for something that accounted for completion, accuracy, AND effort/engagement.  After several round-table discussions, the decision was made to employ rubrics school-wide.  Each grade level or department was asked to create their own rubric that would suit their needs and expectations.   One of our teachers shared a rubric as a template, which the rest the school used as a starting point.  Over the course of creating rubrics, they were revised and adapted, especially after initial implementation. 

Original Rubric Template

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Rubric 

Eighth Grade Rubric

Specials Grades 4-8

Choosing to use a rubric for completion and accuracy further opened the discussion about equitable grading practices, and the decision was made to move from weighted categories to points-based grading in our third through eighth grade. This necessitated a change in our student-management system, which was easy to make.  As you can see by the examples above, some grade levels chose to use their rubrics more for engagement and effort than for completion or accuracy, and some chose a mix.  Thus far, the feedback from teachers, parents, and students has been positive; teachers are thankful for the guidance that a rubric offers, and students and parents are appreciative of the specifics. 

Next school year, the third through fifth grades will begin to use standards based grading; getting comfortable with using rubrics this year will set us up for an easier transition.  Our middle school is slated for standards-based grading adoption the year after that. 

Have you used, or are you using, rubrics for remote learning in your school or district? Feel free to leave a link to your rubric templates!