Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes the data found, as well as the data source.

Proficient - Describes the data found, as well as the data source. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Minimally describes the data found, as well as the data source. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the data found; however, does not describe the data source and significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of the data found and the data source are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Graphs the data using the three most appropriate graphs.

Basic - Graphs the data using one or two of the required three most appropriate graphs.

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

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes why each of the three graphs chosen were the most appropriate for the data.

Proficient - Analyzes why each of the three graphs chosen were the most appropriate for the data. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes why each of the three graphs chosen were the most appropriate for the data. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the three graphs, but the analysis was too limited to indicate which was most appropriate for the data collected, did not indicate which was most appropriate for the data collected, and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of why the graphs chosen are the most appropriate for the data is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and clearly describes all of the trends found in the data.

Proficient - Describes most of the trends found in the data. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Partially describes a few of the trends found in the data. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe at least one trend in the data; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of the trends found in the data is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly examines at least three reasons why the data is similar or different from the two locations over time.

Proficient - Examines three reasons why the data is similar or different from the two locations over time. Minor details are missing or inaccurate.

Basic -Partially examines three reasons why the data is similar or different from the two locations over time. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to examine at least one reason why the data is similar or different from the two locations over time; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

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

Distinguished -Comprehensively summarizes three articles from scholarly sources that discussed the data selected.

Proficient - Summarizes three articles that discussed the data selected. Minor details are missing or at least one of the articles may not be scholarly.

Basic - Summarizes three articles that discussed the data selected. Relevant details are missing and/or two of the articles may not be scholarly.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize articles that discussed the data selected; however, significant details are missing and the articles are not scholarly.

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

Distinguished - Includes a complete introduction with a succinct thesis statement and comprehensive conclusion that supports the thesis.

Proficient - Includes an introduction with a thesis statement and conclusion that supports the thesis. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Includes an introduction with a vague thesis statement and limited conclusion that somewhat supports the thesis. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - (Includes and introduction and a conclusion; however, the introduction does not have a thesis statement and significant details in the conclusion are missing and unclear.

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

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains 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 - Distinguishes probable implications of the text for contexts, perspectives, or issues outside the assigned task or beyond the author's explicit message.

Proficient - Uses the text and/or specific knowledge of the author’s context to draw more intricate inferences about the author’s message and approach.

Basic - Considers how textual features (e.g., sentence and paragraph structure or tone) contribute to the author’s message. Draws fundamental inferences about context and rationale of text.

Below Expectations - Inadequately captures vocabulary but makes an effort to paraphrase or summarize the information the text communicates.

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 limited 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 the 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 an 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.