* What are rubrics? * When should you use them? * How can you tell if your rubrics are worthless or worthwhile? * Why can good rubrics be benefi cial for both assessment and instruction?   This booklet, The Role of Rubrics in Testing and Teaching , turns rubrics inside out and reveals them as an incredibly helpful tool in the effort to teach students of all ages in a variety of subjects and assess their learning, progress, and performance.   MASTERING ASSESSMENT is a set of fifteen practical, easy-to-use booklets covering a wide range of topics related to educational assessment and accountability. These groundbreaking booklets put the most relevant information on assessment at teachers' fi ngertips and provide an important resource for educators looking to learn the ins and outs of becoming "assessment literate."   W. James Popham is a nationally recognized expert on educational testing. For 30 years he taught courses at UCLA in instructional methods for prospective teachers, and courses in evaluation and measurement. He has also authored over 25 books in the fi elds of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.