Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the operational structure of the Department of Homeland Security as it relates to the issue(s) in each case study.

Proficient - Explains the operational structure of the Department of Homeland Security as it relates to the issue(s) in each case study. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the operational structure of the Department of Homeland Security as it relates to the issue(s) in each case study. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the operational structure of the Department of Homeland Security as it relates to the issue(s) in each case study; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the operational structure of the Department of Homeland Security as it relates to the issue(s) in each case study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares a comprehensive evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of the response methods utilized.

Proficient - Prepares an evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of the response methods utilized. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Prepares a partial evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of the response methods utilized. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare an evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of the response methods utilized; however, the assessment is not based on evidence, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of the response methods utilized is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately identifies activities, decisions, processes, and policies implemented by agencies involved in each case study.

Proficient - Identifies activities, decisions, processes, and policies implemented by agencies involved in each case study. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely identifies activities, decisions, processes, and policies implemented by agencies involved in each case study. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify activities, decisions, processes, and policies implemented by agencies involved in each case study; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance -The identification of activities, decisions, processes, and policies implemented by agencies involved in each case study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Proposes a thorough enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study.

Proficient - Proposes enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Proposes a limited enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The proposal of enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively justifies proposal for enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study.

Proficient - Justifies proposal for enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study. The justification is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially justifies proposal for enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study. The justification is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to justify proposal for enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study; however, the justification is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The justification of the proposal for enhanced or alternative response system methods for the issue(s) in each case study is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - 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.