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

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

Basic - 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 - 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 - Thoroughly describes the structure, governing powers, and economic situation of the California, Louisiana, and New York City governments.  Effectively uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other appropriate scholarly sources.

Proficient - Describes the structure, governing powers, and economic situation of the California, Louisiana, and New York City governments.  Uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but might be slightly inappropriate. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially describes the structure, governing powers, and economic situation of the California, Louisiana, and New York City governments.  Minimally uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but are inappropriate. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the structure, governing powers, and economic situation of the California, Louisiana, and New York City governments; however,  supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are not used or are entirely inappropriate. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The descriptions of the structure, governing powers, and economic situation of the California, Louisiana, and New York City governments using supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses one issue where each of these governments has conflicted, compromised, or cooperated with the federal government. Effectively uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources.

Proficient - Discusses one issue where each of these governments has conflicted, compromised, or cooperated with the federal government. Uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but might be slightly inappropriate. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially discusses one issue where each of these governments has conflicted, compromised, or cooperated with the federal government. Minimally uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but are inappropriate. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss one issue where each of these governments has conflicted, compromised, or cooperated with the federal government; however, supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are not used or are entirely inappropriate. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The discussion of one issue where each of these governments has conflicted, compromised, or cooperated with the federal government using supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly examines government programs, policies, and processes that have had positive and negative effects on the citizens of California, Louisiana, and New York City. Effectively and clearly uses appropriate supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources.

Proficient - Examines government programs, policies, and processes that have had positive and negative effects on the citizens of California, Louisiana, and New York City. Uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but might be slightly inappropriate. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially examines government programs, policies, and processes that have had positive and negative effects on the citizens of California, Louisiana, and New York City. Minimally uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but are inappropriate. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to examine government programs, policies, and processes that have had positive and negative effects on the citizens of California, Louisiana, and New York City; however, supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are not used or are entirely inappropriate. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The examination of programs, policies, and processes that have had positive and negative effects on the citizens of California, Louisiana, and New York City using supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes programs, policies, or processes that have made each of these governments successful and clearly discusses why they were successful,  detailing how these programs, policies, and processes overcame conflict, created compromise, and enabled cooperation. Effectively uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources.

Proficient - Describes programs, policies, or processes that have made each of these governments successful and discusses why they were successful, detailing how these programs, policies, and processes overcame conflict, created compromise, and enabled cooperation. Uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but might be slightly inappropriate. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially Describes programs, policies, or processes that have made each of these governments successful and partially discusses why they were successful, detailing how these programs, policies, and processes overcame conflict, created compromise, and enabled cooperation. Minimally uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but are inappropriate. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe programs, policies, or processes that have made each of these governments successful and attempts to discuss why they were successful,  detailing how these programs, policies, and processes overcame conflict, created compromise, and enabled cooperation; however, supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are not used or are entirely inappropriate. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of programs, policies, or processes that have made each of these governments successful and discussion of why they were successful,  detailing how these programs, policies, and processes overcame conflict, created compromise, and enabled cooperation using supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly determines which government, California’s, Louisiana’s, or New York City’s, is the most effective at meeting the needs of its citizens and why it is the most effective. Effectively uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources.

Proficient - Determines which government, California’s, Louisiana’s, or New York City’s, is the most effective at meeting the needs of its citizens and why it is the most effective. Uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but might be slightly inappropriate. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially determines which government, California’s, Louisiana’s, or New York City’s, is the most effective at meeting the needs of its citizens and  why it is the most effective. Minimally uses supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources but are inappropriate. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to determine which government, California’s, Louisiana’s, or New York City’s, is the most effective at meeting the needs of its citizens and  why it is the most effective; however, supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are not used or are entirely inappropriate. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The determination of which government, California’s, Louisiana’s, or New York City’s, is the most effective at meeting the needs of its citizens and  why it is the most effective using supporting details and examples from the course text and other scholarly sources are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable 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 - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

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.