Distinguished - Identifies at least two incident goals and at least two operational objectives.

Proficient - Identifies two incident goals and two operational objectives. One of the goals or objectives is slightly unclear.

Basic - Identifies two incident goals and fewer than two operational objectives. One of the goals and/or objectives are unclear.

Below Expectations - Identifies one incident goal and less than two operational objectives. The goal and the objectives are significantly unclear.

Non-Performance - The incident goals or operational objectives are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively describes at least two response strategies and at least two response tactics. Expertly applies strong, relevant examples to support the description.

Proficient - Describes two response strategies and two response tactics. Sufficiently applies relevant examples to support the description.

Basic - Partially describes two response strategies and two response tactics. Applies somewhat relevant examples to support the description.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe at least two response strategies and/or two response tactics; however, does not apply any examples to support the description.

Non-Performance - The description of the response strategies and response tactics is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Prepares an organization list showing at least three primary roles and an assignment list with at least three specific tasks and their owners.

Proficient - Prepares an organization list showing at least three primary roles and an assignment list with at least three specific tasks and their owners. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Prepares an organization list showing at least two primary roles and an assignment list with at least two specific tasks and their owners. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Prepares an organization list showing at least one primary role and an assignment list with at least one specific task and their owners. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The organization list and assignment list are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains a health and safety plan that includes at least three provisions to assure personnel safety. Expertly utilizes concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional sources.

Proficient - Explains a health and safety plan that includes three provisions to assure personnel safety. Utilizes concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional sources. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Explains a health and safety plan that includes at least two provisions to assure personnel safety. Somewhat utilizes concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional sources. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Explains a health and safety plan that includes at least one provision to assure personnel safety. May not utilize concepts and vocabulary from the text and/or additional sources, and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the health and safety plan is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes a communications plan with at least a primary and secondary method of communication and accurately locates the incident using a map or precise verbal description.

Proficient - Summarizes a communications plan with a primary and secondary method of communication and locates the incident using a map or precise verbal description. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially summarizes a communications plan with a primary or secondary method of communication and locates the incident using a map or verbal description. Relevant details are missing or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize a communications plan with a primary and secondary method of communication and locates the incident using a map or precise verbal description; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of the communications plan and location are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - The paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One or more of the introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack 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 - Employs persuasive information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Below Expectations - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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

Distinguished - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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 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.