Distinguished - Clearly identifies a specific federal policy or program. Key elements of the policy are exceptionally summarized, including the problem it is supposed to solve or improve. The identified policy clearly raises issues of federalism.

Proficient - Identifies a specific federal policy and summarizes elements of the policy, including the problem it is supposed to solve or improve. The identified policy raises issues of federalism.

Basic - Identifies a federal policy or program but only summarizes some elements of the policy. The policy is at least somewhat related to issues of federalism.

Below Expectations - Generally identifies a federal policy or program, but may not summarize its elements. The policy may not be related to issues of federalism.

Non-Performance -The identification of a specific federal policy or program and summary of the elements of the policy are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately summarizes the history of the policy and clearly explains how the policy raises issues of federalism.

Proficient - Accurately summarizes the history of the policy and explains how the policy raises issues of federalism, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Summarizes the history of the policy, but the summary is vague regarding how the policy raises issues of federalism and some relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the history of the policy, but many relevant details are missing or inaccurate. The summary does not explain how the policy raises issues of federalism.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the main pros and cons in debates about the policy. Multiple issues are addressed and analyzed using clear examples from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Analyzes several of the main pros and cons in debates about the policy. However, additional examples of specific pros and cons are needed to support the analysis.

Basic - Briefly analyzes the debates regarding the policy, but the analysis of the main pros and cons in the debates is vague and/or lacks supporting examples.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the debates regarding the policy; however, the analysis provides little independent thought. References to specific pros and cons in the debates are either unclear or missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the main pros and cons in debates about the policy is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively evaluates the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s effectiveness. Precisely defines effectiveness and elaborates extensively on how the policy’s effectiveness should be measured or determined.

Proficient - Evaluates the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s effectiveness. Defines effectiveness, but may need more elaboration regarding how the policy’s effectiveness should be measured or determined.

Basic - Discusses the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s effectiveness, but does not include the details necessary for an effective evaluation. Vaguely defines effectiveness and needs more elaboration regarding how the policy’s effectiveness should be measured or determined.

Below Expectations - Briefly discusses the policy’s effectiveness, but the evaluation of the pros and cons is minimal. May not define effectiveness or address how the policy’s effectiveness should be measured or determined.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s effectiveness is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively evaluates the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s consistency with federalism. Clearly explains interpretation of American federalism’s constitutional framework and fully addresses why the policy is or is not consistent with this framework.

Proficient - Evaluates the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s consistency with federalism. Explains interpretation of American federalism’s constitutional framework and addresses why the policy is or is not consistent with this framework. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Discusses the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s consistency with federalism, but does not include the details necessary for an effective evaluation. The interpretation of American federalism’s constitutional framework and explanation of the policy’s consistency with this framework are vague and/or incomplete.

Below Expectations - Briefly discusses the policy’s consistency with federalism, but the evaluation of the pros and cons from this perspective is minimal. May not include an interpretation of American federalism’s constitutional framework or address the policy’s consistency with that framework.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the pros and cons in terms of the policy’s consistency with federalism 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 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 word requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

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

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

Below Expectations - A fraction of the word 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 and other sources 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 and other sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses fewer than the required number of scholarly and other sources to support ideas. 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 scholarly and other sources, and those used provide little or no support for ideas. 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.