A rubric tells EnlightenAI how to grade. Each rubric is a set of categories (what you’re assessing) and, within each category, several performance levels worth different points. Once a rubric is attached to an assignment, the AI uses your level descriptions to score every submission and to write feedback. This guide walks through building one from scratch.

At a glance: Rubrics → Create a New Rubric → name it → add categories & levels → Save Rubric.

From anywhere in the teacher console, open the left-hand navigation and click Rubrics. This is your library of every rubric you’ve built or shared.

On the Rubrics page, click Create a New Rubric. (The AI Generate Rubric and Upload Rubric buttons next to it are faster alternatives — see Other ways to create a rubric below.)

The rubric builder opens with one empty category. Start by typing a clear Rubric title — this is how it will appear in your library and when you attach it to an assignment.

Each category is one thing you’re assessing. Name it in the Category title box, then fill in the performance levels across the row (highest points on the left) and add a short description of what each level looks like.

Here’s the same category with all three levels described. Clear, concrete level descriptions are what the AI grader uses to score student work consistently.

Click Add category to assess another dimension of the work. Most rubrics have 3–5 categories. Repeat the same steps for each one.

When every category is filled in, click Save Rubric. You can use Preview first to see exactly what students and the AI grader will see.

Your new rubric now appears in My Rubrics. From here you can View or edit it, Share it with colleagues, or attach it to any assignment so the AI can grade against it.