Common Pitfalls in Transparent Assessment (and How to Fix Them)

Avoid these mistakes to make assessment transparency work for you and your students.

By Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning

Transparent assessment (USask Assessment Principle #2) improves equity and student success, but only if it’s done well. Instructors sometimes adopt parts of the approach without fully implementing it, which can lead to confusion or missed benefits.

Here are five common pitfalls and practical fixes to keep your assessments clear and effective.

Pitfall: Vague Criteria are Provided

  • Why it’s a problem: Students can’t act on unclear expectations, even when they’re in a rubric.
  • Suggested Fix: Use more measurable and observable indicators.
  • Example: Instead of “Good analysis,” say: “Applies disciplinary framework accurately and supports claims with at least two credible sources.”

Pitfall 2: Missing Purpose

  • Why it’s a problem: Students don’t see why the assignment matters, reducing motivation and engagement.
  • Suggested Fix: Add 2–3 sentences explaining why the assignment matters and what skills it develops.
  • Example: “Purpose: This project develops your ability to synthesize research and communicate findings for a professional audience. These skills are essential for evidence-based decision-making in your field.”

Pitfall 3: Hidden Logistics

  • Why it’s a problem: Students lose marks for format or submission details they didn’t know.
  • Suggested Fix: Include a clear “Logistics” section.
  • Example: “Submit as a PDF via Canvas by Dec 15. Length: 1,000–1,200 words. Use APA style. Individual work only. GenAI tools may be used for brainstorming but not for drafting text. Use of AI must be disclosed.”

Pitfall 4: Transparency Stops at the Assignment Description

  • Why it’s a problem: Students skim the written instructions and miss key details.
  • Suggested Fix: Spend time in class walking through the assignment and inviting questions.
  • Example: Show students a sample paragraph and ask: “Does this meet Level 3 for evidence integration? Why or why not?”

Pitfall 5: No Examples are Provided

  • Why it’s a problem: Students struggle to interpret criteria without concrete examples.
  • Suggested Fix: Provide annotated samples or instructor-created exemplars and allow students time to review and discuss them.
  • Example: Share a strong past submission with comments like: ‘Notice how the introduction clearly states the purpose and connects to the outcome.’ Provide one that needs improvement and explain why.

Conclusion

Transparent assessment is a powerful tool for equity and learning, but its success depends on thoughtful implementation. Avoiding these common pitfalls ensures that your efforts truly support clarity, confidence, and fairness for all students. Start small by revising one assignment using these fixes, and observe for differences in student engagement and performance.

Want to learn more about making assessments transparent?

Read our first article: Transparent Assessments: Supporting Equity and Learning for strategies and benefits.

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Resources

Title image credit: Colin Behrens from Pixabay
This article was created with the assistance of AI tools, as described in the GMCTL AI Disclosure Statement.
This resource is shared by the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL), University of Saskatchewan, under a CC BY-NC-SA license.