Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately discusses how selected topic impacts the core mission(s) of DHS.

Proficient - Accurately discusses how selected topic impacts the core mission(s) of DHS. Minor details are missing or slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses how selected topic impacts the core mission(s) of DHS. Relevant details are missing, inaccurate, and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how selected topic impacts the core mission(s) of DHS; however, significant details are missing, inaccurate, and underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of how the selected topic impacts the core mission(s) of DHS is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes historical incidents or events appropriate to the topic selected.

Proficient - Analyzes historical incidents or events appropriate to the topic selected.  Minor details are missing or slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes historical incidents or events somewhat appropriate to the topic selected.  Relevant details are missing and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze historical incidents or events appropriate to the topic selected; however, the historical incidents or events are not appropriate to the selected topic, and significant details are missing and underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the historical incidents or events appropriate to the topic selected is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the effectiveness of current DHS policies and procedures affecting the topic selected.

Proficient - Evaluates the effectiveness of current DHS policies and procedures affecting the topic selected. Minor details are missing or slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the effectiveness of current DHS policies and procedures affecting the topic selected. Relevant details are missing and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of current DHS policies and procedures affecting the topic selected; however, significant details are missing and underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the effectiveness of current DHS policies and procedures affecting the topic selected is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Proposes appropriate and relevant recommendations for DHS based on the thorough analysis of the topic.

Proficient - Proposes recommendations for DHS based on the analysis of the topic. The recommendations are mostly appropriate and relevant. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Proposes partial recommendations for DHS based on a limited  analysis of the topic. The recommendations are somewhat appropriate and relevant. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose recommendations for DHS based on the cursory analysis of the topic; however, the recommendations are not appropriate and relevant. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The recommendations for DHS based on the analysis of the topic are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.