Distinguished - Provides an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement and concluding summary that strongly reaffirms the thesis.

Proficient - Provides an introductory paragraph with a good thesis statement and concluding summary that reaffirms the thesis.

Basic - Provides an adequate introductory paragraph with a thesis statement and concluding summary that somewhat reaffirms the thesis.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide introductory and concluding summary and a thesis; however, the thesis may not be reaffirmed throughout.

Non-Performance - The thesis statement, introduction of topic, and concluding summary are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a methodical analysis of the scope and nature of the selected policy problem. Comprehensively incorporates of key factors, which are thoroughly and clearly presented.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of the scope and nature of the selected policy problem. Incorporates key factors that are related to the policy.

Basic - Provides an adequate analysis of the scope and nature of the selected policy problem. Incorporates some key factors related to the policy.

Below Expectations - Provides an incomplete analysis of the scope and nature of the selected policy problem. May identify some of the key factors, but provides little or no analysis of how they relate to the policy.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the scope and nature of the selected policy problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough analysis of the emergence of the public and the political awareness of the problem leading to development or change in related policy.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of the emergence of public and political awareness of the problem leading to development or change in related policy. Key points may be missing some pertinent details.

Basic - Provides a limited analysis of the emergence of public and political awareness of the problem leading to development or change in related policy. Some key points may be lacking detail or may be unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the emergence of public and political awareness of the problem leading to development or change in related policy; however the analysis is missing key point, is significantly underdeveloped, and/or vague.

Non-Performance - The analysis of public and political awareness of the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of policies related to this public policy problem.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of the evolution of policies related to this public policy problem. The analysis of policies may be lacking clear organization of the evolution.

Basic - Provides a limited analysis of the evolution of policies related to this public policy problem. The analysis of the policies lack clear organization of the evolution or analysis is missing policies significant to the evolution.

Below Expectations - Provides an incomplete analysis of the evolution of policies related to this public policy problem. The policies identified do not clearly convey evolutionary change.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the evolution of related policies is either nonexistent or completely lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the specific actors and the level of government involved in related policy development. The explanation is accurate.

Proficient - Explains the actors and the level of government involved in policy development. The explanation is mostly accurate.

Basic - Minimally explains the actors and the level of government involved in policy development. Some information presented may be incomplete or may not be entirely accurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation of actors and the level of government involved in policy development; however, the explanation lacks important details, is vague, and/or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The explanation of actors and level of government involved in policy development is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the intergovernmental structures and policy concerns as pertaining to the identified policy problem.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of intergovernmental structures and policy concerns as pertaining to the identified policy problem. Some significant details may be unclear.

Basic - Provides a brief analysis of intergovernmental structures and policy concerns as pertaining to the identified policy problem. Significant details are unclear or not entirely accurate.

Below Expectations - Provides an incomplete analysis of intergovernmental structures and policy concerns as pertaining to the identified policy problem. Analysis lacks significant details, is vague, and/or inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The analysis of intergovernmental structures and policy concerns is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Meticulously analyzes the conflicting public opinions and the resulting impact on policy direction.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of conflicting public opinions and the resulting impact on policy direction. Significant details could be more fully developed.

Basic - Provides an adequate analysis of conflicting public opinions and the resulting impact on policy direction. Significant details may be vague or do not accurately convey the impact on the policy.

Below Expectations - Provides an inadequate analysis of conflicting public opinions and the resulting impact on policy direction. Significant details may be missing,  vague,  or inaccurately convey the impact on the policy.

Non-Performance - The analysis of conflicting public opinions and the resulting impact on policy direction is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an outstanding analysis of the approaches to policy formulation, adoption and evaluation. The analysis is clearly and thoroughly presented.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of approaches to policy formulation, adoption and evaluation. The analysis is presented clearly though may need further development.

Basic - Provides a basic analysis of approaches to policy formulation, adoption and evaluation. The analysis is underdeveloped and may not be entirely clear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the approaches to policy formulation, adoption and evaluation; however, the analysis is vague, underdeveloped, and/or missing significant details.

Non-Performance - The analysis of approaches to policy formulation, adoption and evaluation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough analysis of policy direction and its future impact.

Proficient - Provides an analysis of policy direction and its future impact. The  analysis may be lacking some clarity or detail.

Basic - Provides a brief analysis of policy direction and its future impact The  analysis is lacking clarity or detail.

Below Expectations - Provides an inadequate analysis of policy direction and its future impact. The analysis is incomplete and/or unclear.

Non-Performance - The analysis of policy direction and its future impact is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains in detail the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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

Distinguished - Renovates ideas or solutions into entirely new forms.

Proficient - Conceives ideas or solutions into a coherent whole.

Basic - Associates ideas or solutions in novel ways.

Below Expectations - Recognizes existing connections among ideas or solutions.

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

Distinguished - Creates meaningful correlations among experiences outside of the classroom to deepen understanding of field of study and to broaden own viewpoints.

Proficient - Compares life experiences and academic knowledge to distinguish differences and similarities while acknowledging perspectives other than own.

Basic - Recognizes correlation between life experiences, academic texts, and ideas perceived as similar and related to own interests.

Below Expectations - Briefly comments about connections between life experiences and academic texts.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the 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 basic 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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 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 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.