Distinguished - Comprehensively describes the current state of American education and clearly explains why there is a need for reform measures to improve student performance.

Proficient - Describes the current state of American education and explains why there is a need for reform measures to improve student performance. The description or explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes the current state of American education and briefly explains why there is a need for reform measures to improve student performance. The description and/or explanation are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the current state of American education and to explain why there is a need for reform measures to improve student performance; however, the description and/or the explanation are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the current state of American education and the explanation of why there is a need for reform measures to improve student performance are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and comprehensively describes at least three key factors that research and course readings support as being critical to the improvement of schools.

Proficient - Identifies and describes at least three key factors that research and course readings support as being critical to the improvement of schools. The descriptions are mostly developed with details or examples.

Basic - Identifies and minimally describes at least two key factors that research and course readings support as being critical to the improvement of schools. The descriptions are somewhat developed with details or examples.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify and describe at least two key factors that research and course readings support as being critical to the improvement of schools; however, the descriptions are not developed with details or examples.

Non-Performance - The identification and description of at least three key factors that research and course readings support as being critical to the improvement of schools are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally detailed explanation of the strategies or approaches that can be implemented to improve the factors identified as critical to school reform.

Proficient - Provides an explanation of strategies or approaches that can be implemented to improve the factors identified as critical to school reform. The explanation is missing minor details.

Basic - Provides a limited explanation of strategies or approaches that can be implemented to improve the factors identified as critical to school reform. The explanation is missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation of the strategies or approaches that can be implemented to improve the factors identified as critical to school reform; however, the explanation is missing significant details.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the strategies or approaches that can be implemented to improve the factors identified as critical to school reform is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - 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 - 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.