Rubrics and Student Learning in Political Science

Rubrics were designed for student learning and as preparation to engage in class discussion on the role of interest groups in American politics. The rubrics enabled students hands-on to learn and generate qualitative and quantitative data, as well as convert the qualitative data into quantitative scales in lower division political science classes. Empirical evidence based on students’ learning outcomes indicated a higher order engaged learning in introductory American Government classes. The experience enhanced civic literacy for students regarding how citizens influence public policy through interest group politics.