Not Applicable Rubric Criterion Option - Comprehensive Guide

Updated: July 2022

Description:  There are scenarios, most commonly occurring in experiential learning environments, where students may be assessed on multiple criteria.  However, since the experiential environment varies and some practice opportunities may not become available, some criteria may not be observed or assessed.  In cases where that is a possibility, a Not Applicable or NA option level is available when building AEFIS Rubric criterion.  When this rubric criterion level is enabled, and selected by an assessor, the total value of that criterion is subtracted from the total possible score for that student.  This ensures that students are accurately assessed, and provides administrators with data about which skills and learning objectives are not demonstrated in an exercise or experiential placement.  This guide will provide instructions on how to create a Non Applicable rubric criterion level, and what to expect when scoring students on a rubric with that level enabled.

Applicable to:  Institution Admin, College Admin, Department Admin, Course Coordinator, Course Section Director, Instructor, Preceptor

• Adding a Not Applicable Rubric Criterion Level
• Scoring on a Rubric with Not Applicable Levels

Part One:  Adding the Not Applicable Rubric Criterion Level

Step 1:  First, determine where you will build your rubric.  Either create your rubric criterion in:

• Rubric Library
• Course/Co-curricular Activity Assignment
• Assignment Template
• Course/Co-curricular Section Assignment

Step 2: Select the +Add Criteria button

Step 3: Choose Add Not Applicable under the criterion description area

Step 4: The Not Applicable criterion level will appear, and you may change the name of the level and the description, to provide clarity to the assessor

Step 5: If you want to remove the Not Applicable criterion level, simply click the Remove Not Applicable button

Part Two: Scoring Students with a Not Applicable Rubric Criterion Level

Step 1: Navigate to your Assignment Scorebook

Step 2: Click the blue pencil next to any student name to open their scorebook page and display their rubric criteria

Step 3: If the skill being assessed by that criteria could not be observed, select the Not Applicable rubric criterion level and you will see the total possible assignment points change

The possible points will adjust automatically as you score students using the N/A rubric criterion option.

Note:  Aggregate data will not populate for assignments using the N/A option because the total scores will vary.  Overall outcome achievement will be assessed if these assignments/rubric criteria are linked to outcomes.