How do I turn off continual display of rubric in speedgrader beyond having to opt for old speedgrader UI every time I grade work?

KristyNorris

It would appear that there is a new interface for speedgrader and the rubric is now defaulted on, rather than having the tab with the option to use the rubric. I do not use the rubric unless I am deducting points. That means that I do not need rubrics very often. It looks like I can opt for "show old speedgrader UI" and return to the option button. However, this does not "stick". I have to change the setting each time I am in speedgrader. I also assume that eventually we will not be able to opt into the old speedgrader. Is there another way to opt out of default displayed rubrics?

jeremyfw

Hi @KristyNorris

Short answer: nope, not right now, at least not in a way that “sticks.”

Longer, honest answer (not likely to be in the release notes):

In the new SpeedGrader UI, the rubric panel being open by default is intentional behavior, not a toggleable preference. At the moment:

• There is no per-user setting to permanently hide the rubric.
• There is no per-course or per-assignment option to change the default rubric display.
• The “Use old SpeedGrader UI” option is session-based, not a saved preference, and Canvas has been clear that it is temporary.

So what you’re seeing isn’t a bug, it’s a design decision.

Why this behaves the way it does

Canvas is pushing toward:

• Rubric-first grading
• Consistency between SpeedGrader, student rubric views, and outcomes
• Reducing “optional” grading pathways over time

That’s why the rubric is now always visible when one exists, even if you rarely use it.

Current workarounds (none are great)

• Collapse the rubric panel each time (manual, repetitive)
• Remove the rubric from the assignment entirely if you truly don’t use it (not always desirable)
• Continue using the old SpeedGrader UI while it’s still available, knowing it won’t last

What you cannot do today

• Set a default preference to hide rubrics
• Disable rubric auto-display globally
• Make Canvas “remember” your last SpeedGrader layout

What to expect going forward

Your assumption is correct: the old SpeedGrader UI will eventually go away, and Canvas has not indicated plans to add a persistent “hide rubric by default” option yet.

If this is significantly impacting your grading workflow, the best path is:

• Submit feedback via Help → Submit Feedback in Canvas
• Upvote similar requests in the Canvas Community under Feature Ideas

You’re not alone in this frustration, many instructors who grade holistically rather than rubric-first have raised the same concern. For now, though, the limitation is architectural, not something you’re missing in settings.

Cheers,
J