These two resources from ASCD help answer these questions:
These are some of the most critical essays our students will need to write on both the TASC and the Regents exams. Using these rubrics regularly will be excellent preparation for all of our students. Also included is the NYS Writing Rubric for grades 6-8, which demonstrates what is expected of students at a middle school level.
Rubrics do not need to be for essays; they can also be used for short written responses in any subject.
Rubrics are not just for essays; they can also be used for short written responses in math.