Distinguished - Accurately addresses all aspects of the prompt. The response is clear and comprehensive.

Proficient - Accurately addresses most aspects of the prompt. The response is clear and mostly comprehensive.

Basic - Somewhat accurately addresses most aspects of the prompt. The response lacks clarity and/or is not comprehensive.

Below Expectations - Addresses the prompt, but the response is unclear, inaccurate, and/or includes a minority of the prompt’s aspects.

Non-Performance - The response to the prompt is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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 - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words.

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.

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

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

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 - Uses more than one scholarly source, 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 one scholarly source to support ideas. The source is used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment and on the reference page.

Basic - Uses one scholarly source to somewhat support ideas. Citations may not be formatted correctly within the body of the assignment and/or on the reference page.

Below Expectations - Uses one source that provides little or no support for ideas. The source may not be scholarly, and citations are not formatted correctly within the body of the assignment and/or on the reference page.

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