Building RubricCheck: A Free AI-Powered Essay Grading Tool

Description and use

The author built RubricCheck, a free tool using Google Gemini API to grade student work against specific rubrics. The React-based app provides instant feedback for students and teachers without requiring login.

Problem

Students and teachers face submission anxiety and difficulty grading against vague or complex rubrics, often requiring them to guess grades or navigate cumbersome LMS interfaces.

Outcome

A free, client-first web application that parses rubrics and student work to provide instant grading feedback and actionable improvements, eliminating the need for accounts or credit cards.

Workflow

• User inputs the assignment rubric or raw prompt.
• User inputs their work (essay, slides, project, or math steps).
• The system uses Google Gemini API with structured schema validation to parse criteria.
• The tool generates an instant breakdown against specific rubric tiers (Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Incomplete).
• The tool provides a 'Missed Points & Fix-It Checklist' and actionable fixes.
• Optional: Teachers can use the AI Rubric Builder or Syllabus-to-'I Can' benchmark tool.

Evidence

I recently launched RubricCheck (rubriccheck.org), a free web tool built to solve a problem every student and teacher deals with: submission anxiety and grading against vague or complex rubrics.

Source

AI Processing: Google Gemini API (structured schema validation for reliable multi-tier rubric extraction)

Source