Supervisors’ untrained postgraduate rubric use for formative and summative purposes

Abstract

Using rubrics can benefit the quality of assessment and learning. However, the conditions that stimulate or obstruct these benefits have been insufficiently studied. One underinvestigated claim is that rubrics are no substitution for good instruction and assessment and that teachers need training in utilising them. This is relevant since teachers in daily practice often use rubrics without training. In this study, we investigated data from a rubric filled out by supervisors who were not specifically trained in its use and used the rubric voluntarily. The rubric was designed for assessment moments with a formative and summative purpose. Results of quantitative analyses of 313 rubric forms indicated that the rubric was used flexibly: supervisors vary in using the rubric for the formative and/or summative purpose and in the criteria they assess. More criteria were omitted during formative use than during summative use. Some of these omitted criteria were most predictive for the final grade. This raises serious concerns with respect to the tension between flexible rubric use and constructive alignment. To understand the quality of rubric use in education, future research is needed on supervisors’ perceptions toward rubrics use. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2021.2021390.