Welcome to the Rubric Processor, a user-friendly, simplified point and click program that helps align assessments with performance-orientated environments and promotes communication through assessment to guide instruction.  The Rubric Processor is divided into four main parts: a bank of existing rubrics, a place to create rubrics, a place to assess student performance within a specific rubric, and the printing of a final report reflecting the assessment process or the 1) Rubric Library, 2) Rubric Generator, 3) Rubric Assessment Tool, and 4) Report Generator.

The Consortium for this project believed that teachers can identify appropriate learning activities for each child by: 1) accurately identifying what the students know and can do, 2) by formulating in a clear concise manner what is required, and 3) matching learning activities to each skills and or topic.  Based on this belief, the following was proposed: production, testing and distribution of computer-based tools designed to enable educators to effectively deliver, monitor and report massive amounts of data and materials required by the current shift towards performance-based education.

Specifically the Rubric Processor was designed to:

• help teachers assess complex student performances;
• track student performance data;
• provide effective ongoing communications with parents about student performance;
• help teachers identify groups of students for instruction on specific skills and identify peer tutors;
• help curriculum directors identify and acquire learning activities for required outcomes.

What are rubrics?

A synthesis of current research defines a rubric as a scoring device or tool that publicly acknowledges what is being judged and establishes criteria or benchmarks for acceptable performance.  When properly designed, rubrics become an important and effective addition to the educational system as they inform the reporting strategy and are a logical building block in working towards the multifaceted reporting required in the emerging performance-oriented educational environment.

Student evaluations must be guided by criteria.  Typically criteria is incorporated in a rubric, a rating scale, or a performance list.  As educators, we are more familiar with rating scales and performance lists.  Due to the high-level outcomes mandated by the state during the time of this project, the use of rubrics was identified as the most appropriate tool to address the overarching goal of communication.

Assess comes from the french word "assidre" meaning to sit beside. Educators sitting beside learners to find out how they are doing to determine together how they can do better.

The following is a brief description of the four parts that make up the Rubric Processor…

1. Rubric Library
The Rubric Library is a bank of all existing rubrics.  Currently there are 23 rubrics from which to draw.  Educators may view the existing rubrics, print rubrics for classroom use, and/or copy a rubric so that it may be modified or custom tailored.

2. Rubric Generator
New rubrics are created in the Rubric Generator.  Two approaches are available for creating rubrics, a novice, or Screen-by-Screen approach and an Expert-One-Screen approach.  The Screen-by-Screen approach is basically a tutorial or “wizard” prompting the development of a rubric in a predetermined format.  The Expert-One-Screen approach is provided for those who are already familiar with the novice approach.  The Expert-One-Screen approach functions in the same manner as the Edit screen in the Library for consistency.  Note: The beginning or stem sentence must flow into the descriptors and recommendations so that a complete report can be compiled and printed in the Report Generator.

3. Rubric Assessment Tool (RAT)
Assessment for individual students in relationship to a selected rubric from the Library is performed in the RAT.  Additional functions are permitted while the user is in the RAT to continue to customize, complete and print a report after an assessment has been completed.  Note: After exiting the RAT, customization, completion, and the printing of reports must be performed in the Report Generator. All assessment information is maintained or stored in the “Data” area listed individually by student and can be viewed at anytime.

4. Report Generator
The Report Generators’ main purpose is to produce an assessment report that contains specific information concerning strengths and weaknesses of student performance.  Additional features are available within the Report Generator: customizing reports, printing reports, and viewing a historical listing by student of rubric assessments that are organized by date and time. Click here to view a sample report.

Features found within this site....

• Educators may download the current prototype from this site by clicking on the text, Download rubric processor, at the bottom of each page.
• A User’s Manual is available on line.  To access this file click on the text, Download User’s Manual, at the bottom of each page.
• Feedback is needed to keep the wheel turning.  We are looking forward to applying for more funding to revise and modify this program and make it a Web-based application. Please click on the text, Feedback, at the bottom of each page.
• The text, Home, at the bottom of each page will bring you back to this page.

 The Rubric Processor software was programmed by
Chih-Lung Lin, Ph.D Candidate, Instructional Systems, Penn State University
Dr. Kyle Peck, Professor, Instructional Systems, Penn State University

 Last update: June 26, 2000