Distinguished - Comprehensively defines developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and thoroughly describes its benefits. Utilizes several resources in the description.

Proficient - Defines developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and describes its benefits. Utilizes some resources in the description.

Basic - Briefly defines developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and minimally describes its benefits. Uses few resources in the description.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and describe its benefits; however, insufficient resources are used in the description.

Non-Performance - The definition of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and the description of its benefits are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains why the use of a textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate. Uses support from state kindergarten standards, the textbook, and NAEYC resources.

Proficient - Explains why the use of a textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate. Uses some support from state kindergarten standards, the textbook, and NAEYC resources.

Basic - Briefly explains why the use of a textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate. Uses little support from state kindergarten standards, the textbook, and NAEYC resources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain why the use of a textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate; however, insufficient support from state kindergarten standards, the textbook, and NAEYC resources is used.

Non-Performance - The explanation of why the use of a textbook-based curriculum may be inappropriate is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the potentially negative effects of a textbook-based curriculum and how it is developmentally inappropriate to literacy development. Uses support from state kindergarten standards.

Proficient - Describes the potentially negative effects of a textbook-based curriculum and how it is developmentally inappropriate to literacy development. Uses some support from state kindergarten standards. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly describes the potentially negative effects of a textbook-based curriculum and how it is developmentally inappropriate to literacy development. Uses little support from state kindergarten standards. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the potentially negative effects of a textbook-based curriculum and how it is developmentally inappropriate to literacy development; however, insufficient support from state kindergarten standards is used. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of potentially negative effects of a textbook-based curriculum and how it is developmentally inappropriate to literacy development is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Recommends an entirely feasible alternative approach to developing literacy skills. The recommendation is supported by relevant examples and scholarly sources.

Proficient - Recommends an alternative approach to developing literacy skills. The recommendation is mostly supported by relevant examples and scholarly sources.

Basic - Recommends a somewhat feasible approach to developing literacy skills. The recommendation is somewhat supported by relevant examples and scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to recommend an alternative approach to developing literacy skills; however, the recommendation is not feasible and only minimally supported by relevant examples and scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The recommendation of an alternative approach to developing literacy skills is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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

Distinguished - The paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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 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 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.