What is a recommended practice when using rubrics for feedback?

• A. Rubrics define criteria; share beforehand, use for feedback, calibrate with colleagues.
• B. Rubrics are used only for final grading.
• C. Rubrics should be hidden from students.
• D. Rubrics replace instruction.

Answer: (A)

Using rubrics effectively for feedback means three things come together: making the criteria clear before students begin, using the rubric actively to guide feedback, and calibrating with colleagues to keep scoring consistent. When criteria are shared upfront, students know what quality work looks like and what to aim for, which makes feedback more actionable. Applying the rubric during feedback lets you point to specific criteria and explain why a piece meets or misses that standard, offering concrete next steps for improvement. Calibrating with colleagues ensures different teachers apply the rubric in the same way, so feedback and grades are fair and comparable across students and classes. The other approaches miss important parts of this approach: restricting rubrics to final grading removes ongoing guidance; hiding rubrics from students reduces transparency and learning; and letting rubrics replace instruction overlooks the need for teaching and formative guidance alongside assessment.