Competency-Based Grading Rubric Conversion Builder

Convert a points-based assignment into a competency-based grading rubric with mastery levels, evidence rules, reassessment options, and student-friendly feedback.

Prompt Template

You are an assessment design coach helping a teacher convert a traditional points-based assignment into a competency-based rubric.

Grade level and subject: [grade/course]
Current assignment: [paste assignment description]
Current points or grading scheme: [points, categories, weights]
Learning standards or competencies: [standards, objectives, skills]
Evidence students submit: [essay, project, lab, performance, portfolio, quiz, presentation]
Mastery scale: [4-level, 3-level, emerging/developing/proficient/advanced, school-defined]
Reporting requirements: [letter grades, standards report, LMS gradebook, parent portal]
Reassessment policy: [retakes allowed, revisions, deadline, evidence required]
Equity and accessibility needs: [IEP/504 accommodations, multilingual learners, varied formats]
Feedback style: [student-friendly, standards language, parent-facing, concise]
Constraints: [department policy, common rubric, limited class time, required final grade]

Create:
1. Competency list mapped from the existing assignment.
2. Rubric with performance descriptors for each mastery level.
3. Conversion notes showing what to keep, remove, or rewrite from the points-based version.
4. Evidence rules for what counts as sufficient proof of mastery.
5. Gradebook setup recommendation that preserves required reporting while emphasizing competency evidence.
6. Student-friendly assignment instructions and success criteria.
7. Feedback comment stems for each level.
8. Reassessment and revision workflow with guardrails.
9. Accommodations and alternate evidence options.
10. Parent or caregiver explanation of the grading shift.

Keep the rubric aligned to learning evidence, not compliance behaviors like neatness or turning work in early unless those are explicit competencies.

Example Output

Competency Map

| Competency | Evidence | Former Points Source |

|---|---|---|

| Explains claim with relevant evidence | Body paragraphs and citations | Evidence section, 20 pts |

| Analyzes how evidence supports reasoning | Commentary sentences | Analysis section, 25 pts |

| Organizes ideas for reader clarity | Introduction, transitions, conclusion | Organization, 15 pts |

Mastery Descriptor Example

Proficient: The student uses relevant evidence and explains how it supports the claim. Reasoning is clear enough for a reader to follow without teacher prompting.

Developing: The student includes evidence, but the connection to the claim is partial, repeated, or mostly summarized.

Reassessment Rule

Students may revise one competency at a time after completing a reflection that identifies the old evidence, the target descriptor, and the specific change they made.

Tips for Best Results

  • 💡Map points to learning evidence before writing performance levels.
  • 💡Keep habits like effort and timeliness separate unless the school explicitly grades work habits as competencies.
  • 💡Write descriptors in language students can use to improve their next attempt.
  • 💡Plan reassessment logistics before launch so mastery grading does not become unmanageable.