Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the rapid increase in the aging population using the demographic transition theory.

Proficient - Adequately explains the rapid increase in the aging population using the demographic transition theory. The explanation is reasonably clear and detailed.

Basic - Briefly explains the rapid increase in the aging population using the demographic transition theory. The explanation is somewhat clear, but additional details are needed.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the rapid increase in the aging population; however, the explanation is unclear, underdeveloped, and/or incorrectly applies the demographic transition theory.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the rapid increase in the aging population using the demographic transition theory is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally well-reasoned analysis of the implications of an increasing aging population for at least two of the social issues. The analysis is fully supported with information from scholarly sources.

Proficient - Provides a well-reasoned analysis of the implications of an increasing aging population for at least two of the social issues. The analysis is mostly supported with information from scholarly sources.

Basic - Provides an analysis of the implications of an increasing aging population for at least two social issues. Aspects of the analysis are underdeveloped or not supported with information from scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of the implications of an increasing aging population; however, the analysis is underdeveloped, unsupported, and/or considers only one social issue.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the implications of an increasing aging population for the chosen social issues is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately summarizes multiple expert opinions concerning the growing aging population in the United States. The summary is coherent, complete, and assesses whether the opinions presented are methodologically sound.

Proficient - Accurately summarizes multiple expert opinions concerning the growing aging population in the United States. The summary assesses whether the opinions presented are methodologically sound, but minor details are missing.

Basic - Summarizes multiple expert opinions concerning the growing aging population in the United States. The summary somewhat assesses whether the opinions presented are methodologically sound, but relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize expert opinions concerning the growing aging population in the United States; however, significant details are missing or inaccurate. The summary may include only one expert opinion and/or fail to assess whether the opinions presented are methodologically sound.

Non-Performance - The summary of expert opinions concerning the growing aging population in the United States is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly assesses how the increasing aging population is going to impact the younger generations in terms of political power and the need for social support. The assessment is well supported with scholarly research.

Proficient - Assesses how the increasing aging population is going to impact the younger generations in terms of political power and the need for social support. The assessment is mostly supported with scholarly research, but may be slightly unclear.

Basic - Assesses how the increasing aging population is going to impact the younger generations in terms of political power and the need for social support. The assessment is unclear or only partially supported with scholarly research.

Below Expectations - Attempts to assess how the increasing aging population is going to impact the younger generations; however, the assessment is unclear, unsupported, and/or does not address political power or the need for social support.

Non-Performance - The assessment of how the rapidly increasing aging population is going to impact the younger generations is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively evaluates multiple actions currently being taken to address these issues, fully considering the results of these actions. Conclusions are thoroughly justified with scholarly research.

Proficient - Evaluates multiple actions that are currently being taken to address these issues, mostly considering the results of these actions. Conclusions are sufficiently justified with scholarly research.

Basic - Evaluates multiple actions that are currently being taken to address these issues, but may not consider the results of some actions. Conclusions are only partially justified with scholarly research.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the actions currently being taken to address these issues; however, the evaluation addresses only one action, does not consider results, and/or does not justify conclusions.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the actions that are currently being taken to address the issues is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Skillfully and effectively uses the outline and annotated bibliography feedback in the development of the Final Paper.

Proficient - Adequately uses the outline and annotated bibliography feedback in the development of the Final Paper.

Basic - Somewhat uses the outline and annotated bibliography feedback in the development of the Final Paper.

Below Expectations - Minimally uses the outline and annotated bibliography feedback in the development of the Final Paper.

Non-Performance - Does not incorporate outline and annotated bibliography feedback in the development of the Final Paper.

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 length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

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.