Distinguished - Clearly states the objective of the assessment.   

Proficient - States the objective of the assessment.   The objective is slightly underdeveloped or unclear.

Basic - Briefly states the objective of the assessment. The objective is underdeveloped and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to state the objective of the assessment; however, the objective is significantly underdeveloped and unclear.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how the teacher-designed assessment does or does not meet the characteristics of a quality teacher-designed assessment. The explanation is well-supported with specific evidence from the checklist/rubric and scholarly and credible sources.

Proficient - Explains how the teacher-designed assessment does or does not meet the characteristics of a quality teacher-designed assessment. The explanation is supported by evidence from the checklist/rubric and scholarly and credible sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly explains how the teacher-designed assessment does or does not meet the characteristics of a quality teacher-designed assessment. The explanation is partially supported by evidence from the checklist/rubric and scholarly, credible sources and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the teacher-designed assessment does or does not meet the characteristics of a quality teacher-designed assessment; however, the explanation is not supported by evidence from the checklist/rubric and scholarly, credible sources and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the teacher-designed assessment does or does not meet the characteristics of a quality teacher-designed assessment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes how the assessment is appropriate for the intended age group. The description is well-supported by scholarly and credible sources.

Proficient - Describes how the assessment is appropriate for the intended age group. The description is supported by scholarly and credible sources but slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly describes how the assessment is appropriate for the intended age group. The description is partially supported by scholarly and credible sources and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe how the assessment is appropriate for the intended age group; however, the description is not supported by scholarly or credible sources and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of how the assessment is appropriate for the intended age group is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes how the assessment does or does not align with the purposes of teacher-designed assessments.

Proficient - Analyzes how the assessment does or does not align with the purposes of teacher-designed assessments. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly analyzes how the assessment does or does not align with the purposes of teacher-designed assessments. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze how the assessment does or does not align with the purposes of teacher-designed assessments; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of how the assessment does or does not align with the purposes of teacher-designed assessments is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains at least two ways the assessment could be used to inform instruction. The explanation is well-supported by scholarly and credible sources.

Proficient - Explains at least two ways the assessment could be used to inform instruction. The explanation is supported by scholarly and credible sources, and minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains at least two ways the assessment could be used to inform instruction. The explanation is partially supported by scholarly and credible sources, and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain at least two ways the assessment could be used to inform instruction; however, the explanation is not supported by scholarly and credible sources, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of at least two ways the assessment could be used to inform instruction is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Written work contains exceptional language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point of view (third person vs. first person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Proficient - Written work contains language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point of view (third person vs. first person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is mostly integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Basic - Written work contains language that is somewhat appropriate in diction, tone, and point of view (third person vs. first person), according to the assignment guidelines. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is somewhat integrated throughout the assignment.

Below Expectations - Written work does not contain language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point of view (third person vs. first person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is minimally integrated throughout the assignment.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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.