Create a Holistic Rubric

The steps below assume you have completed the initial steps to Create a Rubric and can pick up from the Rubric Type step.

Watch How to Create a Holistic Rubric

  1. Select the Rubric Type: Holistic
    Rubric Holistic Type
  2. Choose a scoring method. Options include: No Score or Percentage. For more information, see Rubric Scoring Methods.
    Rubric Holistic Scoring Method
  3. The default initial number of levels is 4. Note: this can be modified and adjusted if needed while you are developing the rubric. For more information see Add Levels to a Holistic Rubric
  4. Click Options.
    Rubrics Options
  5. In the Rubric Visibility area, set the visibility of the rubric. This may be useful if using rubrics in alternative ways. By default, the rubric is visible to students. For more information, see Controlling Visibility in Rubrics.
    Rubrics Visibility
  6. Optional: Check the box to hide scores from student views if desired.
    Rubrics Hide Scores
  7. Recommended: Add a description for your personal reference. Rubric descriptions appear in the Rubric picker list. The rubric description is not be shared with students.
    Rubrics Description
  8. To associate your rubric with Competencies or ePortfolio, in the Advanced Availability section, select the Competencies or ePortfolio check boxes. Note: Competencies MUST be checked if you plan to assess the rubric.

    What are associations?
    You can associate a rubric with a tool such as Competencies or ePortfolio as a means of assessing items created in those tools. When you create an association for a rubric, you cannot edit or delete the rubric. To make changes after associating it with a tool, you should change the rubric’s status to “Archived”, then copy the rubric and make your changes to the new copy.
    Rubrics Association

Define Holistic Rubric Achievement Levels

All Level Names, Descriptions, Percentage values, and Initial Feedback fields are editable by selecting the existing title or field.

Note the following:

  • The top of the page displays the rubric type and scoring method. You can change the type and scoring method at any time; however, changing your rubric from analytic to holistic will cause all but the first row of your rubric to be deleted.
  • As you add or edit rubric information, your changes are automatically saved.
  • If you are creating a holistic rubric that uses a percentage scoring method, enter a start range. The start range for your lowest achievement level is automatically set to 0%. The start range for other levels should be the lowest percentage acceptable for the level. The highest percentage is determined by the start range for the level above.
  1. Modify the Level Names, Description, Percentage values, and Initial Feedback by selecting the existing text.
    • The Levels are the column headings that will appear on the rubric. (i.e. Exemplary, Satisfactory, Developing, etc.) Recommendation: Start with the lowest achievement level (Level 1) and work your way up.
    • Percentages: If the scoring method is Percentages, modify the percentage start ranges for each level.
    • Descriptions can be added for each performance level to outline the requirements that must be met for this criterion. A rubric description is what is required to achieve the level for each criterion. Achievement level descriptions help evaluators determine which level best reflects a user’s achievement. The more detailed your descriptions are, the more consistent evaluations will be. Use the HTML editor in the Description field to format text, insert stuff, or create links. Learn more about Format HTML Course Content. Rubric descriptions do not support replace strings and additional HTML code.
      HTML editor in rubric descriptions
    • Initial Feedback is standard feedback can be added for each of the levels. Individual feedback can later be provided when assessing individual assignments. You can add predefined feedback that appears to users who achieve a specific level, and it is an easy way to communicate a rubric’s evaluation methodology. Predefined feedback does not support HTML.
      Rubric Holistic Modify Fields
  2. Click Close or choose from the Optional Steps below.

Optional Next Steps