Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally thorough introduction of the chosen theme, including why the topic under investigation is important to early childhood education.

Proficient - Provides an introduction of the chosen theme, including why the topic under investigation is important to early childhood education. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Provides a limited introduction of the chosen theme, including why the topic under investigation is important to early childhood education. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an introduction of the chosen theme; however, the introduction does not include why the topic under investigation is important to early childhood education and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The introduction of the chosen theme is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Explains the common ideas or themes in the found scholarly sources with accuracy, elaboration, and an in-depth analysis. 

Proficient - Explains the common ideas or themes in the found scholarly sources with accuracy. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the common ideas or themes in the found scholarly sources. Relevant details are inaccurate and/or missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the common ideas or themes in the found scholarly sources; however, the explanation is inaccurate and significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The explanation of the common ideas or themes in the found scholarly sources is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Presents a thorough analysis of what has been learned based on the research. The analysis is clear and accurate.

Proficient - Presents an analysis of what has been learned based on the research. The analysis is clear but minor inaccuracies are present.

Basic - Presents a limited analysis of what has been learned based on the research. The analysis is somewhat clear and several inaccuracies are present.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present an analysis of what has been learned based on the research; however, the analysis is unclear and/or significant inaccuracies are present.

Non-Performance - The analysis of what has been learned based on the research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Critically analyzes and discusses how these articles translate into real-world classroom application.

Proficient - Adequately analyzes and discusses how these articles translate into real-world classroom application. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Vaguely analyzes and discusses how these articles translate into real-world classroom application. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how these articles translate into real-world classroom application; however, the discussion lacks analysis and/or significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis and discussion of how these articles translate into real-world classroom application is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively summarizes the information and explains how the information from the articles will impact the future career.

Proficient - Summarizes the information and explains how the information from the articles will impact the future career. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Vaguely summarizes the information and explains how the information from the articles will impact the future career. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the information and explain how the information from the articles will impact the future career; however, significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how the chosen topic is connected to the other themes of overall cultural competence.

Proficient - Explains how the chosen topic is connected to the other themes of overall cultural competence. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Partially explains how the chosen topic is connected to the other themes of overall cultural competence. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the chosen topic is connected to the other themes of overall cultural competence; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the chosen topic is connected to the other themes of overall cultural competence 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 - Written work contains exceptional language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point-of-view (third-person vs. first-person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Proficient - Written work contains language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point-of-view (third-person vs. first-person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is mostly integrated in a meaningful way throughout the assignment.

Basic - Written work contains language that is somewhat appropriate in diction, tone, and point-of-view (third-person vs. first-person), according to the assignment guidelines. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is minimally integrated throughout the assignment.

Below Expectations - Written work does not contain language that is appropriate in diction, tone, and point-of-view (third-person vs. first-person), according to the assignment guidelines and academic writing standards. Key subject matter and academic vocabulary is not integrated throughout the assignment.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing.

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer very little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence in the writing. Such sources/evidence may also be unrelated, offering no support to the ideas in the writing.

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.