Distinguished - Clearly identifies the age group and developmental stage and thoroughly describes key physical, emotional, cognitive, and social developmental features.

Proficient - Identifies the age group and developmental stage and describes key physical, emotional, cognitive, and social developmental features. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Identifies the age group and developmental stage and minimally describes key physical, emotional, cognitive, and social developmental features. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Identifies the age group and developmental stage and attempts to describes key physical, emotional, cognitive, and social developmental features; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The description of key physical, emotional, cognitive, and social developmental features is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes developmental stage from the perspective of three developmental theorists. 

Proficient -Analyzes developmental stage from the perspective of three developmental theorists. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes developmental stage from the perspective of three developmental theorists. The analyisis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Analyzes developmental stage from the perspective of three developmental theorists; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The analyses of the developmental stage from the perspective of three developmental theorists are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes one theory most useful to explain selected developmental stage.

Proficient - Summarizes one theory most useful to explain selected developmental stage. Minor details are missing.

Basic -Partially summarizes one theory most useful to explain selected developmental stage. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Summarizes one theory most useful to explain selected developmental stage; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of one theory most useful to explain selected developmental stage.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.