Using numbers as a database? (Grade book application)

Question

After searching for an excel or numbers template that I can use for grading, I think I have to write my own to get what I want.
The problem: I have a class with 28 students in it. Each student will be performing various assignments. Each assignment will be criterion referenced (with a master description of what the levels are for each score - ie a 'rubric' for the edu - jargon minded). I would like to enter the students ONCE. Then create a data entry form for each assignment. Finally, I need to generate the following reports:
Data Entry
Assignment 1:
Fail | Pass | Credit | Distinction | High Distinction
Student 1 X
Stdnt 2 X
Stdnt 3 X
Stdnt 4 X
I would like to be able to generate a new assignment, fill in the header info of what the criteria are for each score, and have the form auto-filled with the list of students - not have to select each from a drop down list.
Class Report: (Note, each score will be assigned a numeric value 1 through 5)
Asgmt 1 | Asgmt 2 | Asgmt 3 | Total Score
Stdnt 1 2 5 4 11
Stdnt 2 4 4 3 11
Stdnt 3 5 5 4 14
And finally, a student report:
Student 1:
Asgnmt Score Description
1 2 Minimal use of references, many spelling errors.
2 5 Showed superior insight into the issues discussed.
3 4 Demonstrated an above average understanding of this concept
(Descriptions of each assignment to be auto filled from the appropriate header description in the relevant assignment.)
Can this be done in numbers? I had hopes for Bento, but after having played with it for several hours now, I have about given up on ever getting it to do this task.
Not asking someone to write this for me, but I would appreciate feedback and guidance on if it can or cannot be done in numbers, and suggestions on how to program these tasks. There are of course other things that need to be done to the data, but this is the essential core.
ADVthanksANCE

Answer 1

Brian,
See what you think of the screenshot below.
_*Class Report Table*_
The basic data entry concept has been changed so that the roster and scores are entered directly into the class report table. Information in all other tables is derived from this table and the Rubrics table. There is no need for a separate Roster table.
_*Rubric Table*_
A separate Rubric table makes a LOOKUP somewhat easier. Each Rubric is coded by assignment number and level so that it can be accessed by the student tables with the formula:
=LOOKUP("A"&A3&"-"&B3, Rubric Table :: Code, Rubric Table :: Rubric)
_*Student Tables*_
Student names are either typed in or entered with the formula: =Class Report :: A2. The table titles can be eliminated or their title names edited in the sheets panel.
Scores are obtained from the Class Report Table using formulas of the form:
=IF(ISBLANK(LOOKUP(A$2, Class Report :: Name, Class Report :: 'A-1')),"",LOOKUP(A$2, Class Report :: Name, Class Report :: 'A-1'))
The formula for the rubric is given above.
After completing the first table, use it as a template to duplicate the rest. Only the names change.
_*Assignment Tables*_
It seemed that your purpose for these tables was two-fold: 1) to enter scores and 2) to show rubrics in the headers. Both seem rather cumbersome and add an extra level of upkeep when assignments are added. These tables are shown below for visual purposes but I think they can be eliminated unless you want to see a pattern of “x’s”. Incidentally, these tables, too, were calculated from the Class Report table.
_*Auto Expansion*_
Adding Assignment columns to the Class Report table is easy enough if added before the EOR column (End of Range) so that the totals formula will not have to be adjusted. Unfortunately, there is no way that the other tables will auto expand. My recommendation is that you over anticipate your number of assignments and students and create tables to that size. If you do this, the EOR column will not be necessary.
Hoping this gives you some direction and food for thought.
pw