Rubricsection

Rubricsection is a term used to describe a component of a rubric that evaluates a specific dimension of a student’s performance. In many assessment contexts, a rubric serves as a scoring tool that defines what counts as different levels of performance, while a rubricsection provides the focused criteria, descriptors, and guidance for one particular criterion or learning objective. In analytic rubrics, each criterion corresponds to a separate rubricsection, whereas holistic rubrics may present criteria in a more integrated form.

A rubricsection typically includes several elements: a criterion statement that conveys the objective being assessed, a set of performance levels (for example, exemplary, proficient, developing, and insufficient), and descriptors that illustrate observable evidence at each level. Some rubrics also include a scoring weight for the section and notes about how to collect or interpret evidence. The rubricsection is the unit of scoring that allows teachers to provide targeted feedback and learners to understand precisely what is required to improve.

Design considerations for rubricsections focus on clarity and alignment. Writing clear, observable descriptors with action-oriented verbs helps ensure reliability and fairness. Most rubrics use four to five levels to balance nuance with usability. Rubricsections can be created as templates for reuse across tasks, and may be adapted for different grade levels or contexts. They are commonly used in education to structure feedback, guide instruction, and support formative assessment, as well as in performance reviews and other evaluative settings.