{"id":734,"date":"2025-06-24T08:24:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T12:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/?p=734"},"modified":"2025-10-14T13:53:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T17:53:13","slug":"creating-rubrics-in-brightspace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/2025\/06\/24\/creating-rubrics-in-brightspace\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating Rubrics in Brightspace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rubrics in Brightspace help instructors establish clear, consistent grading criteria for assignments, discussions, and other assessments. They support transparency for students and simplify the grading process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide walks instructors through the steps to create a new rubric in Brightspace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Create a New Rubric<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>From your course homepage, click <strong>Tools<\/strong> on the navigation bar and select <strong>Course Admin<\/strong> from the dropdown menu.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdM0orTuW60vNcE69kuw-Mkb48tc-YNGlPX_6rN_E799qg7mVc3SXnPEHAGhCxzwiFDlV2RKDfdmbIUEgFjz5ws8y0-h8gJZHn20A1xnInbRKXMzn0GwedruGcOkFP34Gxyby6_oA?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On the Course Admin page, select <strong>Rubrics<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfHi9q27Kkj33VXmwb0g080E7gIeQPqT50spOaL_fuw4t3y1x6yRO1Pjvdm4fpN4b75nwNFVzPYswxB_346Z2cq2TFLwOReJpq_GQfeeOIV25gmOzMJc_P6wrgzJHuNt_v_HWN9fg?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On the Rubrics page, click the <strong>New Rubric <\/strong>button to start creating your rubric.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdHOFLk-42eaptGUlZpuKQhL3Dw-N8McpqWk0m672_kRKkF1V5lE9Zh8T98mD9vSm5Gtvxy45JDNZ_IElhh7aqXZqt6VVh9wG5_hEA7j0k2Wff1rM5Bm7vuXLktB656RLt7zNAS5g?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Please note that rubrics cannot be imported directly from external documents. You will need to manually recreate the rubric within Brightspace by entering the criteria and descriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On the <strong>Edit Rubric<\/strong> page,&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXfeIbaxCiLEtJJg_hUwbZhcKSwigs-FTS4XNQbw6QpM86TKfD_RfPhZS9GheEjP6-KOJplOWtI9xjnkAWBbtsFInjJTYpQeMTyBLHyoCvOR0O1-FfkSpejATdgyPiZCbdyERAI6tQ?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A. Name: Enter a name that identifies the rubric\u2019s purpose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>B. Type: Select the rubric type:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeDii4QHDPcGtqr1gqYPtLwEhN71jdZ-F87hC0DECE7U6pmmPy0kSjKIxwu2cCJaEzuk94Q7U8MjP40iZwGEzzgoe8ERM4nQpTyO0n10zWRQXJYl4hlYEdzCaXzvgOYOHOet-FooA?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Analytic<\/strong> (default): multiple criteria with separate scoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Holistic<\/strong>: one overall score for the entire assignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>C. Scoring: Choose how the rubric will be scored:<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXe3veUYnVP_uxd3UDlwnHwCijEGGR_uFg33qsgTQkJEEx88g2d3CZAikJNMk3yyzvwyWZUKmTmYFJ3hONFI8ep8BRNCCMHEWWYZWpRpmsAl-IjMDyZcqcJn5GUeQSjSY-aYRvYPHg?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Custom Points<\/strong> (most flexible)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Points<\/strong> (standardized across levels)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No Score<\/strong> (for feedback only)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n<li>D. Reverse Level Order: Click to <strong>flip the order<\/strong> of performance levels (e.g., Level 1 \u2192 Level 4 becomes left to right). Useful for aligning visual flow with grading logic.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>E. Status: This controls the <strong>availability<\/strong> of your rubric:<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXe_UxtF9unpltvooBhJOBKGe3Htrs3DzIszDi3a2idwbiTEtPFCCDVOgt7yfZ3L0hj-eLJCEGOhyvZ7JY8ytD6f_bx_pl60VZ2eExzj3BWX6_8m3LSifHbnvoWXbkqQV0ihZvl5aw?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Published<\/strong> (default): The rubric is ready to use and can be attached to assignments, discussions, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Archived<\/strong>: The rubric is no longer active. It won\u2019t appear when selecting rubrics for new activities but is retained for recordkeeping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Draft<\/strong>: The rubric is still being worked on. It cannot be attached to activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the table layout, enter descriptions and point values for each cell to clearly define performance expectations. When creating the rubric:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXcG3cxeW_amo6wEmvDZUlMZSymmoJ1Q_QbYhJDqbRg3I8kGP5LSGmukm_ejr1xL_1m8uZtXtfJJEbyB7lClerZfQsB7UDi96jNvht1Oz01YpAzWQUjJWmEyMyycLV6QYX1fxO4z3g?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A. Move Criteria Up\/Down: Use these arrows to reorder criteria rows. This affects the order students and graders will see.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>B. Criteria Options Menu: Click this to<strong> <\/strong>copy or delete the criterion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C. Add Criteria Column: Adds a new performance level (e.g., Level 5 or Level 0) to the rubric. This helps customize grading scales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>D. Criterion Row Options: Similar to B, but applies specifically to the individual criterion row, such as deleting or duplicating it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>E. Delete Level Column: Removes that performance level (column) from the rubric. Use cautiously, especially after entering scores or descriptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>F. Add Criterion: Click to add a new criterion row, such as \u201cOrganization,\u201d \u201cClarity,\u201d or \u201cGrammar.\u201d Each row assesses a different aspect of the work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><p><strong>Set the Overall Score<\/strong><br>Set the <strong>Overall Score<\/strong> levels based on the total number of points available for the Activity. The point values for each <strong>Overall Score<\/strong> level should represent the different ranges of accomplishment on the overall Activity. The descriptors will default to Level 1\u20134, but it is possible to customize the descriptor title.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"margin: 1em 0\">    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-14-at-1.12.59-PM.png\"><br>  <\/figure> <p><strong>NOTE:<\/strong> The overall score section does <strong>NOT<\/strong> automatically update when you set the point values for a rubric and must be updated manually. If it is not updated, Brightspace will default to the point values and number of columns as below:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"margin: 1em 0\"><br>    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-10-14-at-1.49.13-PM.png\"><br>  <\/figure><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After building your rubric, scroll down to the <strong>Options<\/strong> section to set important visibility and reference preferences:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXeJQIVp5uwAlfTLo16KXCZqoVWEX53i488qOD0V43AV8ACtjK9zkgoo2VankEHj2_3005dkEnQjFLJvos5eIZamF_fVo2IR50BiynYRLW7JNfjJS58ArwZ0EKZyigucjB0sgrz4TQ?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A. Rubric Visibility:<strong> <\/strong>&nbsp;Choose when and how students can see the rubric.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>B. Score Visibility:<strong> <\/strong>Check \u201cHide scores from students\u201d if you only want to show qualitative feedback, not point values.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>C. Description:<strong> <\/strong>Add an internal note for your own reference. This text will <strong>not<\/strong> be visible to students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Brightspace auto-saves your changes. Before closing, scroll to the top and make sure you see the <strong>\u201cSaved\u201d<\/strong> checkmark near the rubric title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdQdQNIXx35wSJkyC-rLIpII3v1FuprksoCTXhVOGeWOypSkw0erFHgwkO404VvrxLnuOk-IrMUIKzBuOLyqs_ajE36sNvA2rCpVAJLLv1KmyRw0TmVOPVeOi9l2Y5Vpt8ODQGm?key=LRHNP-S84VUX_hTqqxNXdQ\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your rubric is created, you can attach it to assignments or discussions to streamline grading. View our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/2025\/06\/24\/linking-rubrics-to-course-activities-in-brightspace\/\">Linking Rubrics to Course Activities in Brightspace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For additional support with rubrics and assessment in Brightspace, explore the following resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/community.d2l.com\/brightspace\/kb\/articles\/5794-about-rubrics\">D2L Brightspace &#8211; About Rubrics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kcgBMAVqeuo\">Video &#8211; Create and Edit a Rubric<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Still have questions? Email us at <a href=\"mailto:FacultySupport@sps.cuny.edu\">FacultySupport@sps.cuny.edu<\/a>. We&#8217;re here to help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Rubrics in Brightspace help instructors establish clear, consistent grading criteria for assignments, discussions, and other assessments. They support transparency for students and simplify the grading process. This guide walks instructors through the steps to create a new rubric in Brightspace. How to Create a New Rubric To get started: Please note that rubrics cannot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"portfolio_post_id":0,"portfolio_citation":"","portfolio_annotation":"","openlab_post_visibility":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-brightspace"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/734","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=734"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/734\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1098,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/734\/revisions\/1098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=734"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=734"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openlab.sps.cuny.edu\/teaching-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=734"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}