Distinguished - Provides a thorough introduction that effectively states the basis for the policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue.

Proficient - Provides an introduction that states the basis for the policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue. The introduction is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited introduction that states the basis for the policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue. The introduction is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an introduction that states the basis for the policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue; however, the introduction is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - An introduction that states the basis for the policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Briefly explains why a new policy response that enhances coordination among agencies at various jurisdictional levels is warranted. The explanation is succinct and effective.

Proficient - Briefly explains why a new policy response that enhances coordination among agencies at various jurisdictional levels is warranted. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Briefly explains why a new policy response that enhances coordination among agencies at various jurisdictional levels is warranted. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to briefly explain why a new policy response that enhances coordination among agencies at various jurisdictional levels is warranted; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - A brief explanation of why a new policy response that enhances coordination among agencies at various jurisdictional levels is warranted is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively justifies policy proposal through an explicit discussion of the chosen theory.

Proficient - Justifies policy proposal through an explicit discussion of the chosen theory. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially justifies policy proposal through an explicit discussion of the chosen theory. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to justify policy proposal through an explicit discussion of the chosen theory; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The justification of a policy proposal through an explicit discussion of the chosen theory is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares a comprehensive literature review that includes methods and findings that lend support for the structure and implementation of the policy proposal.

Proficient - Prepares a literature review that includes methods and findings that lend support for the structure and implementation of the policy proposal. The literature review is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Prepares a limited literature review that includes methods and findings that lend support for the structure and implementation of the policy proposal. The literature review is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to prepare a literature review that includes methods and findings that lend support for the structure and implementation of the policy proposal; however, the literature review is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The literature review that includes methods and findings that lend support for the structure and implementation of the policy proposal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively states the quantitative and/or qualitative findings that support the policy proposal.

Proficient - States the quantitative and/or qualitative findings that support the policy proposal. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally states the quantitative and/or qualitative findings that support the policy proposal. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to state the quantitative and/or qualitative findings that support the policy proposal; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The statement of the quantitative and/or qualitative findings that support the policy proposal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how the structure and implementation of the policy proposal provides an effective response to the chosen homeland security issue.

Proficient - Explains how the structure and implementation of the policy proposal provides an effective response to the chosen homeland security issue. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains how the structure and implementation of the policy proposal provides an effective response to the chosen homeland security issue. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the structure and implementation of the policy proposal provides an effective response to the chosen homeland security issue; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the structure and implementation of the policy proposal provides an effective response to the chosen homeland security issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains responsibilities and functions across agencies at the federal (DHS and the Intelligence Community), state, regional, and local jurisdictional levels that mitigate hostilities, threats, and hazards, and thoroughly relates them to the chosen issue.

Proficient - Explains responsibilities and functions across agencies at the federal (DHS and the Intelligence Community), state, regional, and local jurisdictional levels that mitigate hostilities, threats, and hazards, and relates them to the chosen issue. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains responsibilities and functions across agencies at the federal (DHS and the Intelligence Community), state, regional, and local jurisdictional levels that mitigate hostilities, threats, and hazards, and partially relates them to the chosen issue. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain responsibilities and functions across agencies at the federal (DHS and the Intelligence Community), state, regional, and local jurisdictional levels that mitigate hostilities, threats, and hazards and relate them to the chosen issue; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of responsibilities and functions across agencies at the federal (DHS and the Intelligence Community), state, regional, and local jurisdictional levels that mitigate hostilities, threats, and hazards and relation of them to the chosen issue are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively examines the connections between complex policy issues, policy proposals, and skills necessary to implement policy.

Proficient - Examines the connections between complex policy issues, policy proposals, and skills necessary to implement policy. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally examines the connections between complex policy issues, policy proposals, and skills necessary to implement policy. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to examine the connections between complex policy issues, policy proposals, and skills necessary to implement policy; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The examination of the connections between complex policy issues, policy proposals, and skills necessary to implement policy is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes methods utilized by the most effective DHS and Intelligence response systems, and clearly states why those methods effectively mitigate the chosen issue.

Proficient - Analyzes methods utilized by the most effective DHS and Intelligence response systems, and clearly states why those methods effectively mitigate the chosen issue. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes methods utilized by the most effective DHS and Intelligence response systems, and partially states why those methods effectively mitigate the chosen issue. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze methods utilized by the most effective DHS and Intelligence response systems; however, does not clearly state why those methods effectively mitigate the chosen issue, and the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of methods utilized by the most effective DHS and Intelligence response systems and statement of why those methods effectively mitigate the chosen issue are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively evaluates ethical and legal issues that may result from the implementation of the policy proposal.

Proficient - Evaluates ethical and legal issues that may result from the implementation of the policy proposal. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally evaluates ethical and legal issues that may result from the implementation of the policy proposal. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate ethical and legal issues that may result from the implementation of the policy proposal; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of ethical and legal issues that may result from the implementation of the policy proposal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively defends the policy proposal by succinctly emphasizing its potential benefits within the context of relevant theory, evidence, and literature in the conclusion.

Proficient - Defends the policy proposal by succinctly emphasizing its potential benefits within the context of relevant theory, evidence, and literature in the conclusion. The conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally defends the policy proposal by emphasizing its potential benefits within the context of relevant theory, evidence, and literature in the conclusion. The conclusion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to defend the policy proposal by succinctly emphasizing its potential benefits within the context of relevant theory, evidence, and literature in the conclusion; however, the conclusion is not succinct and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The defense of the policy proposal by succinctly emphasizing its potential benefits within the context of relevant theory, evidence, and literature in the conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a succinct summary of the paper and theoretically-grounded and evidenced-based policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue within the abstract.

Proficient - Provides a mostly succinct summary of the paper and theoretically-grounded and evidenced-based policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue within the abstract. The abstract is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a somewhat succinct summary of the paper and theoretically-grounded and evidenced-based policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue within the abstract. The abstract is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a succinct summary of the paper and theoretically-grounded and evidenced-based policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue within the abstract; however, the abstract is not succinct and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The succinct summary of the paper and theoretically-grounded and evidenced-based policy proposal in response to a current homeland security issue within the abstract 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.