Distinguished - Provides three policy options and describes each thoroughly.

Proficient - Provides three policy options and describes each. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides three policy options and minimally describes each. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Provides three policy options and attempts to describe each; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The three policy options and descriptions for each are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the pros and cons of the first chosen policy option.

Proficient - Explains the pros and cons of the first chosen policy option. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the pros and cons of the first chosen policy option. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the pros and cons of the first chosen policy option; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the pros and cons of the first policy option is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the pros and cons of the second chosen policy option.

Proficient - Explains the pros and cons of the second chosen policy option. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the pros and cons of the second policy option. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the pros and cons of the second policy option; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the pros and cons of the second policy option is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the pros and cons of the third chosen policy option.

Proficient - Explains the pros and cons of the third policy option. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains the pros and cons of the third policy option. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the pros and cons of the third policy option; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the pros and cons of the third policy option is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Selects a preferred policy option and thoroughly defends it.

Proficient - Selects a preferred policy option and defends it. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Selects a preferred policy option and partially defends it. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Selects a preferred policy option and attempts to defend it; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The selection and defense of a preferred policy is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the consequences of chosen course of action.

Proficient - Describes the consequences of chosen course of action. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the consequences of the chosen course of action. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the consequences of the chosen course of action; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the consequences of the chosen course of action is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explores the ideas, thoughts, and elements of the topic and provides relevant evidence and information that demonstrates all of the following as applicable to the discussion prompt: clarity, relevance, depth, breadth, use of information resources, and logic.

Proficient - Explores the ideas, thoughts, and elements of the topic and provides relevant evidence and information that demonstrates most of the following as applicable to the discussion prompt: clarity, relevance, depth, breadth, use of information resources, and logic.

Basic - Explores the ideas, thoughts, and elements of the topic and provides relevant evidence and information that demonstrates some of the following as applicable to the discussion prompt: clarity, relevance, depth, breadth, and use of information, and logic.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explore the ideas, thoughts, and elements of the topic and provide relevant evidence and information, but demonstrates few of the following as applicable to the discussion prompt: clarity, relevance, depth, breadth, use of information resources, and logic.

Non-Performance - There is no attempt to explore the ideas, thoughts, and elements of the topic and provide relevant evidence and information in either the original post or subsequent response posts within the discussion, or no post is present.

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.