As teachers we are often asked for our rubrics to show how we are evaluating the student’s work. I smile and hand over my rubric. I always take great pleasure when people gasp and ask me if I am serious. “Where is the rest of the rubric?” is the next question. The truth is my rubrics only have one level on them, Level 4. I do not put any other information on my rubric than this level.  My reasoning for this is simple. If you put the other levels the students will make an effort to reach the level they feel comfortable with. With only Level 4 they see this as the expectation and work to meet it. Even the weakest students improve their efforts.