Distinguished - Responds with a thorough reflection that is related to all aspects of the journal prompt. Applies professional, personal, relevant prior knowledge, and/or other real-world experiences in a manner that is rich in thought and provides valuable insight into the topic. Analyzes preconceptions and biases by deconstructing elements of personal assumptions and synthesizes own awareness using new modes of thinking.

Proficient - Responds with a reflection that is related to almost all aspects of the journal prompt. Applies professional, personal, or other real-world experiences in a manner that provides valuable insight into the topic. Provides a limited analysis of preconceptions and biases and somewhat synthesizes own awareness using new modes of thinking.

Basic - Responds with a reflection that is related to most aspects of the journal prompt. Applies professional, personal, or other real-world experiences in a manner that provides limited insight into the topic but may not be wholly relevant to the journal prompt. Demonstrates self-reflection by identifying preconceptions or biases compared to new modes of thinking.

Below Expectations - Responds with a reflection that is related to some aspects of the journal prompt. Attempts to apply professional, personal, or other real-world experiences, but their relevance to the journal prompt is unclear. Self-reflection is vague and/or fails to relate to preconceptions or biases and new modes of thinking.

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

Distinguished - Effectively communicates ideas or points in a logical and organized manner. Reflections are sophisticated and formulate wholly appropriate and pertinent connections between the journal topic and relevant prior knowledge.

Proficient - Communicates ideas or points in a manner that is mostly logical and organized. Reflections formulate appropriate connections between the journal topic and relevant prior knowledge.

Basic - Communicates ideas or points in a manner that demonstrates a limited understanding of content organization. Attempts to reflect upon journal topic, but the connections between the journal topic and prior knowledge are vague.

Below Expectations - Attempts to communicate ideas or points; however, the content organization is extremely limited. Fails to provide a reflection that connects the journal topic to prior knowledge.

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

Distinguished - Journal contains no errors related to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

Proficient - Journal contains only a few minor errors related to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure, but they do not distract the reader from the content.

Basic - Journal contains a few errors related to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure, which slightly distract the reader from the content.

Below Expectations - Journal contains major errors related to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure, which distract the reader from the content.

Non-Performance - The journal 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.