Rubrics are important tools for teachers to assess student performance and ensure fairness. When students understand what a rubric expects, they can develop better work and achieve better results. Rubrics also allow teachers to clearly identify their assessment criteria. The appropriate type of rubric - checklist or scale - depends on the area being assessed. For example, a checklist is best for listening assessment. Understanding how to create consistent and precise rubrics helps both students and teachers, as students know expectations and teachers can rely on results.