Distinguished - Composes a thorough introduction that defines the purpose of the paper. All key points are included.

Proficient - Composes an introduction that defines the purpose of the paper. Most key points are included.

Basic - Composes a limited introduction that defines the purpose of the paper. Some key points are included.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compose an introduction that defines the purpose of the paper; however, a few or none of the key points are included.

Non-Performance - The introduction of the paper that defines the purpose of the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the effect of the three key legal cases on the field of special education including all five required elements.

Proficient - Analyzes the effect of the three key legal cases on the field of special education including most of the five required elements. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially analyzes the effect of the three key legal cases on the field of special education including includes some of the five required elements. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the effect of the three key legal cases on the field of special education; however, the paper includes a few of the five required elements, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance -The analysis of the effect of the three key legal cases on the field of special education is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly compares and contrasts three major legal cases that have impacted assessment and evaluation procedures in special education. All key points are included.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts three major legal cases that have impacted assessment and evaluation procedures in special education. Most key points are included.

Basic - Somewhat compares and contrasts three major legal cases that have impacted assessment and evaluation procedures in special education. Some key points are included.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare and contrast three major legal cases that have impacted assessment and evaluation procedures in special education; however, a few or none of key points are included.

Non-Performance - The comparison and contrast of three major legal cases that have impacted assessment and evaluation in special education are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the cumulative effect of the three cases on the field. All relevant details are included.

Proficient - Evaluates the cumulative effect of the three cases on the field. Most of the relevant details are included.

Basic - Partially evaluates the cumulative effect of the three cases on the field. Some of the relevant details are included.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the cumulative effect of the three cases on the field; however, a few or none of the relevant details are included.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the cumulative effect of the three cases on the field is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the main points of the paper, including a detailed personal perspective on the impact of these cases. All key points are included.

Proficient - Summarizes the main points of the paper, including a personal perspective on the impact of these cases. Most key points are included.

Basic - Somewhat summarizes the main points of the paper, including a limited personal perspective on the impact of these cases. Some key points are included.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the main points of the paper, including a personal perspective on the impact of these cases; however, a few or none of the key points are included.

Non-Performance - The summary of the main points of the paper, including a personal perspective on the impact of these cases is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Autonomously synthesizes or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines. 

Proficient - Autonomously correlates examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Basic - Attempts to correlate examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

Below Expectations - Displays inconsistent examples, facts, or theories from multiple disciplines.

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 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.

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 - 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 - 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 - Provides the minimum number of body paragraphs, supporting evidence, and explanation. The significance and importance of the ideas are included.

Proficient - Provides the minimum number of body paragraphs with some supporting evidence and explanation. The significance and importance of the ideas are included, but this area is not fully developed.

Basic - Provides some or all body paragraphs, but they do not contain developed supporting evidence, explanation and/or significance and importance of the ideas.

Below Expectations - Provides some or all body paragraphs, which lack supporting evidence and explanation. The significance and importance of the ideas are not included. 

Non-Performance - The body paragraphs are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.