Objectives Unacceptable Below Average Acceptable Above Average Exemplary Score
0 Points 20 Points
Student did not make any
post in the discussion board Student posts were on time
0 Points 5 Points 10 Points 15 Points 20 Points
No reference to any course
reading
Makes reference to
assigned readings; attempts
to cite the source
Makes references to course
and/or outside reading
material but citations do not
conform to an acceptable
citation format
Refers to and properly cites
in APA format course and/or
outside reading in initial
posting only
Refers to and properly cites
in APA format either course
materials or external
readings in initial posts and
responses
0 Points 5 Points 10 Points 15 Points 20 Points
No postings for which to
evaluate language and
grammar
Poorly written initial posting
and responses including
frequent spelling, structure,
and/or grammar errors
Communicates in friendly,
courteous, and helpful
manner with some spelling,
grammatical, and/or
structural errors
Contributes valuable
information with minor
grammatical or structural
errors
No spelling, structure, or
grammar errors in any
posting; Contributes to
discussion with clear,
concise comments
0 Points 5 Points 10 Points 15 Points 20 Points
No initial posting
Response was not on topic,
the message was unrelated
to assignment, and post was
less than 150 words
The initial posting did not
adequately address the
question posed in the forum;
superficial thought and
preparation
Initial posting demonstrates
sincere reflection and
answers most aspects of the
forum; full development
Initial posting reveals a solid
understanding of all aspects
of the task; uses factually
and relevand information;
and the length of the posting
is at least 150 words
0 Points 5 Points 10 Points 15 Points 20 Points
Student did not participate in
this forum
Student participated on but
did not respond to other
student posts
Student participated but only
responded to one
Student participated and
commented on two other
student’s posts
Student actively
participated, responded to at
least two other students’
posts, and replied to other
students’ comments on their
original post.
Total Score 0
Frequency of
Participation
Reference to
Course Readings
Language and
Grammar
DISCUSSION FORUM RUBRIC
Timeliness of
Forum Posting
Quality of Initial
Posting
