Distinguished - Exceptionally clear, focused, and thorough discussion of the issue at hand.

Proficient - Clear discussion of the issue at hand; however, some details are missing.

Basic - Somewhat clear discussion of the issue at hand; however, relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the issue at hand; however, discussion lacks clarity and is missing significant detail.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the issue at hand is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a detailed explanation of specific rules and regulations relating to the concept (i.e., laws and/or policies). Explanation is supported by credible sources and demonstrates a clear understanding of the connection between rules and regulations and the concept.

Proficient - Provides a sufficient explanation of specific rules and regulations relating to the concept (i.e., laws and/or policies). Explanation is supported by credible sources and demonstrates some understanding of the connection between rules and regulations and the concept.

Basic - Provides a brief explanation of specific rules and regulations relating to the concept (i.e., laws and/or policies). Explanation is somewhat supported by credible sources and attempts to demonstrate an understanding of the connection between rules and regulations and the concept.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation of specific rules and regulations relating to the concept (i.e., laws and/or policies); however, explanation lacks support from credible sources and fails to demonstrate a connection between rules and regulations and the concept.

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

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally clear and focused analysis of the situation. The analysis includes historical information leading to the current situation as well as response to the content. The position taken is fully supported and defended by credible sources.

Proficient - Provides a clear analysis of the situation; however, some details are missing. The analysis may include historical information leading to the current situation. Sufficient response to the content is provided. The position taken is somewhat supported and defended by credible sources.

Basic - Provides an analysis the situation; however, relevant details are missing. The analysis may include historical information, but the relationship of the information to the current situation may be unclear. A minimal response to the content is provided. The position taken is not entirely supported and defended by credible sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of the situation. Analysis lacks significant details, defense, and support of the positions taken in the paper.

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

Distinguished - Conclusion and recommendations are skillfully developed. The conclusion thoroughly summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper and provides thoughts and opinions about what changes may/should occur on the basis of current conditions and scholarly research.

Proficient - Conclusion and recommendations are mostly developed. The conclusion adequately summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper and provides some thoughts and opinions about what changes may/should occur on the basis of current conditions and scholarly research.

Basic - Conclusion and recommendations are present. The conclusion loosely summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper and provides minimal thoughts and opinions about what changes may/should occur on the basis of current conditions and scholarly research.

Below Expectations - Conclusion and recommendations are present, but incomplete. The conclusion does not adequately summarize the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper and may not provide thoughts and opinions about what changes may/should occur on the basis of current conditions and scholarly research.

Non-Performance - The conclusion and recommendations are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author’s explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text, general background understanding, and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message; draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary and makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding.
 

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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.