Distinguished - Comprehensively describes and analyzes the scope of the public policy concern, expertly addressing stakeholders, constituencies, political institutions, level(s) of government involved, and cost.

Proficient - Describes and analyzes the scope of the public policy concern, addressing stakeholders, constituencies, political institutions, level(s) of government involved, and cost. Some sections may lack minor detail.

Basic - Vaguely describes and analyzes the scope of the public policy concern, addressing stakeholders, constituencies, political institutions, level(s) of government involved, and cost. Sections of the analysis may be incomplete and/or missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe and analyze the scope of the public policy concern; however, sections of the analysis addressing stakeholders, constituencies, political institutions, level(s) of government involved and/or cost are missing significant information, resulting in an incomplete analysis.

Non-Performance - The description and analysis of the scope of the public policy concern is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively discusses at least three proposed policies to address the issue.

Proficient - Discusses at least three proposed policies to address the issue. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Somewhat discusses at least two proposed policies to address the issue. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Minimally discusses at least two proposed policies to address the issue.

Non-Performance - The discussion of proposed policies to address the issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Recommends a wholly feasible and realistic policy solution, thoroughly addressing the administrative feasibility and the advantages and disadvantages of the policy solution. The recommendation relates to issues raised in the scope of the concern.

Proficient - Recommends a policy solution, addressing the feasibility and the advantages and disadvantages of the policy solution. The recommendations relates to issues raised in the scope of the concern. Some recommendations lack minor details.

Basic - Recommends a policy solution, minimally addressing the feasibility and the advantages and disadvantages of the policy solution. Few recommendations relating to issues raised in the scope of the concern are provided. The recommendations lack relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to recommend a policy solution; however, the policy solutions lack either the feasibility and advantages and disadvantages of the policy solution or recommendations relating to issues raised in the scope of the concern.

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

Distinguished - Paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The thesis statement identifies a current public policy.

Proficient - Paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - Paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - Paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment 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 - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

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 - he 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.