Distinguished - Accurately lists and comprehensively explains three positive characteristics of mothering and/or fathering and how these characteristics will ultimately influence the child’s success in school.

Proficient - Lists and explains three positive characteristics of mothering and/or fathering and how these characteristics will ultimately influence the child’s success in school. The explanations are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Lists and briefly explains three positive characteristics of mothering and/or fathering and how these characteristics will ultimately influence the child’s success in school. The explanations are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Lists and minimally explains at least two positive characteristics of mothering or fathering and how these characteristics will ultimately influence the child’s success in school. The explanations are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The lists and explanations of three positive characteristics of mothering and/or fathering are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a factual, comprehensive explanation of effective strategies to minimize the undesirable behavior in two common toddler actions and how positive expectations can lessen the need for discipline.

Proficient - Provides a factual explanation of effective strategies to minimize the undesirable behavior in two common toddler actions and how positive expectations can lessen the need for discipline. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a mostly factual explanation of effective strategies to minimize the undesirable behavior in two common toddler actions and how positive expectations can lessen the need for discipline. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Provides a minimal explanation of effective strategies to minimize the undesirable behavior in two common toddler actions and how positive expectations can lessen the need for discipline. The explanation may not be factual and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of effective strategies to minimize the undesirable behavior in two common toddler actions and how positive expectations can lessen the need for discipline is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a comprehensive explanation of how parents can help adolescents deal with the common issue of bullying. Includes many relevant details to support the explanation.

Proficient - Provides an explanation detailing how parents can help adolescents deal with the common issue of bullying. Includes several relevant details to support the explanation.

Basic - Provides a limited explanation of how parents can help adolescents deal with the common issue of bullying. Includes some relevant details to support the explanation.

Below Expectations - Provides a minimal explanation of how parents can help adolescents deal with the common issue of bullying. Includes few relevant details to support the explanation.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how parents can help adolescents deal with the common issue of bullying is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the difference between limited and involuntary caretaking in terms of the role of grandparents and comprehensively describes the positive effects this relationship has on the grandchild. Expertly explains how parents can include grandparents as influences in their child's life.

Proficient - Mostly explains the difference between limited and involuntary caretaking in terms of the role of grandparents and describes the positive effects this relationship has on the grandchild. Explains how parents can include grandparents as influences in their child's life. Minor details are missing from one of these components.

Basic - Somewhat explains the difference between limited and involuntary caretaking in terms of the role of grandparents and describes the positive effects this relationship has on the grandchild. Explains how parents can include grandparents as influences in their child's life. Relevant details are missing from at least one of these components.

Below Expectations - Minimally explains the difference between limited and involuntary caretaking in terms of the role of grandparents and briefly describes the positive effects this relationship has on the grandchild. Somewhat explains how parents can include grandparents as influences in their child's life. Significant details are missing from at least two of these components.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the difference between limited and involuntary caretaking in terms of the role of the grandparents is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains why the selected parenting model is an appropriate choice, providing exceptional and relevant evidence from the text or scholarly sources.

Proficient - Sufficiently explains why the selected parenting model is an appropriate choice, providing evidence from the text or scholarly sources.

Basic - Somewhat explains why the selected parenting model is an appropriate choice, providing some evidence from the text or scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Minimally explains why the selected parenting model is an appropriate choice, providing little evidence from the text or scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The explanation of why the selected parenting model is an appropriate choice is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains poverty and how it impacts both parents and children and provides a thorough description to parents of how their child will be supported in the classroom. Offers at least two outside resources to support the families.

Proficient - Sufficiently explains poverty and how it impacts both parents and children and provides a description to parents of how their child will be supported in the classroom. Offers two outside resources to support the families.

Basic - Somewhat explains poverty and how it impacts both parents and children and provides a limited description to parents of how their child will be supported in the classroom. Offers at least one outside resource to support the families.

Below Expectations - Minimally explains poverty and how it impacts both parents and children and provides an insufficient description to parents of how their child will be supported. May not offer outside resources to support the families.

Non-Performance - The explanation of poverty and how it impacts both parents and children and the description to parents of how their child will be supported in the classroom are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Lists two negative effects of divorce and provides detailed and specific examples of how parents can counteract the negativity and support their children.

Proficient - Lists two negative effects of divorce and provides examples of how parents can counteract the negativity and support their children. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Lists two negative effects of divorce and provides some examples of how parents can counteract the negativity and support their children. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Lists at least one negative effect of divorce and provides few examples of how parents can counteract the negativity and support their children. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The list of two negative effects of divorce and examples of how parents can support their children are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly uses two of the "Ten Strategies for Family, Parenting, and Work Balance" to fully explain how a balanced life will enhance the lives of children.

Proficient - Sufficiently uses two of the "Ten Strategies for Family, Parenting, and Work Balance" to explain how a balanced life will enhance the lives of children. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Uses two of the "Ten Strategies for Family, Parenting, and Work Balance" to somewhat explain how a balanced life will enhance the lives of children. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to use at least one of the "Ten Strategies for Family, Parenting, and Work Balance” to explain how a balanced life will enhance the lives of children; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The use of two of the "Ten Strategies for Family, Parenting, and Work Balance” to explain how a balanced life will enhance the lives of children is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally detailed and comprehensive explanation of a high-risk factor and how this factor negatively affects the child. Includes a well-developed and specific illustration of how parents/educators can assist a child with unpredictable behavior at home or in the classroom.

Proficient - Provides a detailed explanation of a high-risk factor and how this factor negatively affects the child. Includes an illustration of how parents/educators can assist a child with unpredictable behavior at home or in the classroom.

Basic - Provides an explanation of a high-risk factor and how this factor negatively affects the child. Includes an adequate illustration of how parents/educators can assist a child with unpredictable behavior at home or in the classroom.

Below Expectations - Provides a general explanation of a high-risk factor and how this factor negatively affects the child. Includes a brief illustration of how parents/educators can assist a child with unpredictable behavior at home or in the classroom.

Non-Performance - The explanation of a high-risk factor and how this factor negatively affects the child, including an illustration of how parents/educators can assist a child with unpredictable behavior, is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally clear explanation of one disability and ways for parents to support this child, as well as a thorough and detailed description to parents of how their child will be included in all classroom activities and how their peers will be educated to be inclusive.

Proficient - Provides a clear explanation of one disability and ways for parents to support this child, as well as a detailed description to parents of how their child will be included in all classroom activities and how their peers will be educated to be inclusive.

Basic - Provides an explanation of one disability and ways for parents to support this child, as well as a description to parents of how their child will be included in all classroom activities and how their peers will be educated to be inclusive.

Below Expectations - Provides a minimal explanation of one disability and ways for parents to support this child, as well as a limited description to parents of how their child will be included in all classroom activities and how their peers will be educated to be inclusive.

Non-Performance - The explanation of one disability and specific ways for parents to support this child and the description of how the child will be included in all classroom activities are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough explanation of three suggestions to support parents of adopted children. Includes a thoughtful and appropriate suggestion of a children's book with a detailed explanation of the book choice.

Proficient - Provides an explanation of three suggestions to support parents of adopted children. Includes an appropriate suggestion of a children's book and an explanation of the book choice.

Basic - Provides a brief explanation of at least two suggestions to support parents of adopted children. Includes a suggestion of a children's book, but may not sufficiently explain the book choice.

Below Expectations - Provides a minimal explanation of at least two suggestions to support parents of adopted children. May not include a suggestion of a children's book and/or may not explain the book choice.

Non-Performance - The explanation of at least three suggestions to support parents of adopted children is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the positive effects of a quality childcare program. The explanation of why the program is ideal is entirely convincing. Includes several examples from the course text or other scholarly sources to support the explanation.

Proficient - Explains the positive effects of a quality childcare program. The explanation of why the program is ideal is mostly convincing. Includes some examples from the course text or other scholarly sources to support the explanation.

Basic - Briefly explains the positive effects of a quality childcare program. The explanation of why the program is ideal is somewhat convincing. Includes few examples from the course text or other scholarly sources to support the explanation.

Below Expectations - Minimally explains the positive effects of a quality childcare program. The explanation of why the program is ideal is unconvincing or missing. May not include examples from the course text or other scholarly sources to support the explanation.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the positive effects of a quality childcare program is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a conclusion slide with a clear and concise restatement of the thesis and a highly detailed explanation of how children will be supported while they are members of the classroom. Thoroughly explains how the classroom is tolerant, supportive, and encouraging to all families.

Proficient - Includes a conclusion slide with a concise restatement of the thesis and an explanation of how children will be supported while they are members of the classroom. Explains how the classroom is tolerant, supportive, and encouraging to all families.

Basic - Includes a conclusion slide with a restatement of the thesis and a limited explanation of how children will be supported while they are members of the classroom. Briefly explains how the classroom is tolerant, supportive, and encouraging to all families.

Below Expectations - Includes a conclusion slide with an unclear restatement of the thesis and a minimal explanation of how children will be supported while they are members of the classroom. Marginally explains how the classroom is tolerant, supportive, and encouraging to all families.

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

Distinguished - Creatively addresses the material, including graphics, visuals, charts, graphs, and/or sound that add value to the presentation. The notes section of the PowerPoint is utilized to expand on the presented points.

Proficient - Creatively addresses the material, including graphics, visuals, charts, graphs, and/or sound. The notes section of the PowerPoint is mostly utilized to expand on the presented points.

Basic - Addresses the material, including graphics, visuals, charts, graphs, or sound. The notes section of the PowerPoint is somewhat utilized to expand on the presented points.

Below Expectations - Addresses some of the material, including graphics, visuals, charts, graphs, or sounds. The notes section of the PowerPoint is not sufficiently utilized to expand on the presented points.

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

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

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

Below Expectations - A fraction of the length 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.