How the grade report works.
Every resource on Margins is reviewed before buyers see it. The report gives a score from 0 to 10, a breakdown by category, and four trust checks, and it's shown on the listing. Here's what it checks and where its limits are.
The score: 0 to 10
The score is shown to one decimal, like 7.8/10, with a band: Strong (8.0 and up), Meets (6.0 to 7.9) or Developing (below 6.0). The AI never picks the number. It rates evidence it finds in the file, and our code turns those ratings into the score using fixed weights. The score is tied to the exact file and rubric version that were reviewed, so it doesn't change when you reload the page.
What the score is made of
| Heading | Category | Share of score |
|---|---|---|
| Standards | Standards alignment | 25% |
| Learning science | Cognitive rigor | 25% |
| Learning science | Instructional quality | 25% |
| Learning science | Support for all learners | 15% |
| Learning science | Accuracy | 10% |
- Standards alignment
- The review matches the resource to the official Common Core State Standards (ELA and math) or Next Generation Science Standards, down to specific codes such as CCSS.Math.Content.3.NF.A.1 for third-grade fractions. It looks for what the resource actually teaches, not codes that are only mentioned. Where a subject has no official list, this category is marked 'Not evaluated for this subject' and its share is spread over the others, so scores are not comparable across subjects.
- Cognitive rigor
- How much thinking the tasks ask for, informed by Webb's Depth of Knowledge and the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix.
- Instructional quality
- Whether the resource has a clear goal, clear directions, checks for understanding, a sensible sequence, and support for the teacher using it.
- Support for all learners
- Whether the resource offers different ways in for different learners, informed by CAST's UDL Guidelines 3.0.
- Accuracy
- Whether the content has factual errors. A flagged error lowers this score and is shown as a caution.
For K–3 phonics resources, the report also shows an Early reading rating informed by The Reading League's Defining Guide. It's shown but not counted in the score.
The four trust checks
Separate from the score, every resource gets four checks: A real teaching resource, No signs of copied material, No private student or staff information, and School-appropriate. Each one shows Passed, Caution or Not passed, with the reason in plain words. A resource that passes all four shows the Verified resource mark. Files with student information, inappropriate content or signs of someone else's copyrighted material don't go on sale at all. The copied-material check looks for warning signs; it is not a legal clearance.
How to read it
Start with the breakdown, not just the number. A 7.2 resource that's Strong in standards alignment might be exactly what you need. The score is a starting point for your own judgment, not a verdict on anyone's teaching.
Scores are rounded, so the categories may not average to exactly the overall number.
Guiding materials
These informed how we judge. They do not validate the score.
- Common Core State Standards (ELA, Math)
- Next Generation Science Standards
- Webb's Depth of Knowledge
- The Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix
- Achieve's EQuIP rubrics
- CAST UDL Guidelines 3.0
- The Reading League's Science of Reading: Defining Guide
Why we built it this way
Buying classroom resources usually means trusting a thumbnail, a description and star ratings. We think buyers deserve a first look at what's actually inside, and sellers who do careful work deserve a way to show it. The grade report is that first look: fast, published, and honest about being a first pass.
Sellers see the same report as feedback, including which standards a resource matches and where it could be stronger.
Scores are subjective based on our review and reference resources. Not reflective of value or student learning
Common Core State Standards. Copyright 2010 National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 US.
Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the standards were involved in producing this product, and they do not endorse it.
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