       if @rubricGrade
         @rubricGradeTierId = @rubricGrade.tier_id
       else
+        alert("no rubric grade!!")
         @rubricGradeTierId = null
 
       if @rubricGrade

      else
        @comments = ""

      # alert(@selectedTier.id)
      # would this always have an id?
    alert: ()->
      alert("snakes!")    

      newTier = new TierPrototype(@, attrs, @$scope)
      @tiers.push newTier
      if @rubricGradeTierId and @rubricGradeTierId == newTier.id
        alert("selected!")
        @selectedTier = newTier

    addTiers: (tiers)->
