How MeritBoard Judging Works
This is how student work becomes verified proof: fast, consistent first-pass scoring from a computer panel, with a teacher certifying every result. Standardized and trustworthy — and still celebrations of student work, not grades.
The process
- 1
Computer scores & ranks
Each entry is scored against a clear rubric for that contest type, with a short written rationale. A multi-pass approach keeps rankings consistent across the whole field.
- 2
The teacher reviews
The teacher sees every score and rationale, and can reorder or adjust the results — they know their students best.
- 3
The teacher certifies & publishes
Nothing is shared until the teacher clicks Confirm & Publish. Results can be made private again anytime.
What the computer looks for
Each contest type is judged on four balanced criteria. Teachers can also add their own custom criteria per contest.
Photography
- ✓ Composition
- ✓ Technical quality
- ✓ Creativity
- ✓ Visual impact
Physical Art
- ✓ Technique & craft
- ✓ Originality
- ✓ Composition
- ✓ Expressive power
Digital Art
- ✓ Intentionality
- ✓ Originality
- ✓ Composition
- ✓ Visual impact
Poetry
- ✓ Imagery & language
- ✓ Emotional resonance
- ✓ Form & intentionality
- ✓ Voice & originality
Persuasive Writing
- ✓ Argument strength
- ✓ Evidence & reasoning
- ✓ Structure
- ✓ Persuasive force
Creative Writing
- ✓ Voice & originality
- ✓ Storytelling & structure
- ✓ Character or world
- ✓ Emotional experience
Our data & AI commitments
Student work is never used to train AI models
Submissions are sent to our AI providers only to judge that contest. They are never used to train or improve any model.
A teacher certifies every result
The computer ranks entries and drafts feedback. The teacher reviews, can reorder, and must explicitly Confirm & Publish before anything is shared. Nothing goes public automatically.
Privacy by default
Results start private. Public pages show a first name and last initial (or a screen name you choose), and any student can be excluded from public display.
You control your data
Teachers can delete any submission or contest at any time. We don’t auto-sell, auto-share, or repurpose student work.
Clear AI-entry rules per contest
Each contest states whether AI tools may be used to create entries — from “original work only” to “AI-generated entries welcome” — and entrants confirm the rule when they submit.
For schools & districts
Need AI-use policy language for your school? Our free District AI Policy Kit has ready-to-adapt templates.
Get the District AI Policy Kit →