What is a challenge of grading open-ended responses?

The challenge of grading open-ended responses lies in the necessity for clear rubrics. Open-ended responses allow students to express their understanding in diverse ways, making evaluations subjective; without a well-defined rubric, grading can become inconsistent and vary significantly among different evaluators. This inconsistency can lead to potential biases and misunderstandings of student responses, as different graders may prioritize different aspects of the answers. A clear rubric helps establish specific criteria for assessment, ensuring that all responses are evaluated fairly based on the same standards. It also aids in providing structured feedback to students, which is essential for their learning and improvement.