Using rubrics in economics

We detail the use of a technique which has the potential to better correlate class activities and learning objectives and reduce time spent in assessing learning while also addressing the issue of subjectivity in grading. Rubrics contain an explicit description of evaluation criteria and standards of competency which aid the development of course materials and support objective grading of assignments. We present an introduction to rubric use in economics, describing examples of their use as a student- and an instructor-centered (formative and summative) assessment tool in two very different types of courses: micro principles and quantitative methods.