Distinguished - Provides a clear and succinct introduction to the topic and overview of the contents of the proposal.

Proficient - Provides an introduction to the topic and overview of the contents of the proposal. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited introduction to the topic and overview of the contents of the proposal. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an introduction to the topic and an overview of the contents of the proposal; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction to the topic and overview of the contents of the proposal are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the topic and defines and thoroughly explains the major problems related to the issue.

Proficient - Describes the topic and defines and explains the major problems related to the issue. Minor details are missing

Basic - Describes the topic and minimally defines and explains the major problems related to the issue. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the topic and define and explain the major problems related to the issue; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the topic and definition and explanation of the major problems related to the issue are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the major developments in the evolution of the issue in the United States.

Proficient - Explains the major developments in the evolution of the issue in the United States. The explanation is somewhat underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains some of the major developments in the evolution of the issue in the United States. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the major developments in the evolution of the issue in the United States; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the major developments in the evolution of the issue in the United States is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively compares and contrasts the issue in the United States to that of other countries.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts the issue in the United States to that of other countries. The comparison is somewhat underdeveloped.

Basic - Compares and contrasts some of the issue in the United States to that of other countries. The comparison is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to compare and contrast the issue in the United States to that of other countries; however, the comparison is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The comparison of the issue in the United States to that of other countries is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough description of the role of major stakeholders in the issue.

Proficient - Provides a description of the role of major stakeholders in the issue. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited description of the role of major stakeholders in the issue. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a description of the role of major stakeholders in the issue; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the role of major stakeholders in the issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides relevant examples of how the P.P.A.C.A. and other federal policies have attempted to address the issue. The examples provide a clear picture of their impact on the issue.

Proficient - Provides examples of how the P.P.A.C.A. and other federal policies have attempted to address the issue. The examples are mostly relevant and provide a mostly clear picture of their impact on the issue.

Basic - Provides few examples of how the P.P.A.C.A. and other federal policies have attempted to address the issue. The examples are somewhat unclear and provide a limited picture of their impact on the issue.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide examples of how the P.P.A.C.A. and other federal policies have attempted to address the issue; however, the examples are unclear and do not provide a picture of their impact on the issue.

Non-Performance - The examples of how the P.P.A.C.A. and other federal policies have attempted to address the issue are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear and focused set of recommendations on what should be done to address the issue in the future. Fully justifies the reasoning for the recommendation with comprehensive evidence that entirely supports position.

Proficient - Provides a clear and focused set of recommendations on what should be done to address the issue in the future. Justifies the reasoning for the recommendations with evidence that supports position. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a somewhat clear and focused set of recommendations on what should be done to address the issue in the future. Justifies the reasoning for the recommendations with some evidence that may support position. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a set of recommendations on what should be done to address the issue in the future; however, the reasoning for the recommendations is not justified with evidence that supports the position. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The set of recommendations on what should be done to address the issue in the future is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Conclusion is skillfully developed and thoroughly summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Conclusion is mostly developed, and adequately summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Basic - Conclusion is present, and loosely summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Below Expectations - Conclusion is present, though somewhat incomplete. It does not adequately summarize the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Non-Performance - The conclusion 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 - 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 - Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem, identifies consequences of the solution, and can clearly communicate the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient - Carefully chooses among alternatives, and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solving.

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.