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Lockable Rubric Guidance
The "lockable rubrics" feature in Gradescope offers instructors increased control during the grading process by allowing them to "lock" rubric items once they have been applied. This functionality aids in preventing accidental modifications and fosters consistency in grading. It is especially beneficial for larger courses that involve multiple graders, as it guarantees fairness and objectivity in the evaluation process. Furthermore, this feature enhances the overall integrity of the grading system, ensuring that all students are assessed uniformly.
Why Use Lockable Rubrics?
To prevent Accidental Changes: Once a rubric item is applied and locked, it cannot be unintentionally altered, preserving grading accuracy.
To support Fairness and Equity: Locking items ensures that all students are graded by the exact same criteria, regardless of who grades them or when.
To enable Scalable, Multi-Grader Workflows: In courses with many graders, lockable rubrics support greater marking consistency and a more uniform grading experience.
To encourage Rubric Discipline: Forces instructors and graders to carefully design, test, and commit to a rubric before grading begins, promoting greater assessment quality.
Rubric Editing Permissions Options
When setting up or managing a Gradescope assignment, the following options are available for rubric editing:
Important: Once ‘No one can edit rubrics’ is selected and saved, you will no longer be able to make changes to the rubric or its structure during grading. Be sure the rubric is finalised before locking.
Recommended Workflow for Rubric Creation
Start by selecting either:
All staff can edit rubrics, or
Only instructors can edit rubrics
Create and finalize your rubric:
Define ‘Grading defaults’, ‘Student visibility’ etc.
Once the rubric is complete, return to Assignment Settings and select:
No one can edit rubrics
This locks the rubric, ensuring the rubric is applied consistently across all graders.
Rubric Locking Implications
When ‘No one can edit rubrics’ is selected and saved, the following changes occur:
The rubric becomes fixed; only previously created items (e.g., -0.0 Correct) can be used.
The ‘Create your rubric’ section is still visible during rubric setup but will be greyed out after saving.
The following settings also become locked:
Create your rubric
Default selection style
Default scoring method
Default score bounds
Role-Based Permissions
Role | Can Edit Rubrics | Can Lock Rubric Settings |
Instructors | Yes | Yes |
TAs/Readers | No (unless enabled) | No |
Students | No | No |
Instructors have full control over rubric permissions and can toggle settings even mid-grading. TAs and Readers can use existing rubrics but cannot change or lock them unless permissions are granted.
Changing Settings Mid-Grading
Rubric permissions are reversible:
If a rubric is locked with "No one can edit rubrics" but changes are needed:
An instructor can re-enable editing by selecting "All staff can edit rubrics" or "Only instructors can edit rubrics"
This will re-enable dynamic rubric editing during grading.
This flexibility is useful but should be used cautiously to ensure grading consistency.
Point Adjustments Still Allowed
Even when rubric editing is locked:
Point adjustments can still be applied per submission.
Instructors and staff should clearly document reasons using the “Provide comments specific to this submission” field.
Best Practices Summary
Finalise and review your rubric before locking.
Communicate clearly with staff about locked settings and roles.
Use point adjustments carefully and annotate them for transparency.
Highlight the rubric lock timing and visibility quirks to avoid confusion.
Instructors retain control and can modify settings if absolutely necessary.