Distinguished - Description of the life journey covers all specified stages with accuracy and detail and provides a coherent and compelling narrative.

Proficient - Description of the life journey covers all specified stages and provides accuracy, detail and a narrative that exceed expectations but are less than excellent.

Basic - Description of the life journey covers all specified stages and provides accuracy, detail and a narrative that meets, but is not above, expectations.

Below Expectations - Description of the life journey covers fewer than the specified stages or exhibits significant or exhibits major deficiencies in accuracy, detail, or narrative quality.

Non-Performance - Description of the life journey is absent or wholly deficient.

Distinguished - Application of theory to explain development demonstrates a high degree of theoretical knowledge and is astute and penetrating.

Proficient - Application of theory to explain development is above expectations but less than excellent.

Basic - Application of theory to explain development meets, but is not above, expectations.

Below Expectations - Application of theory to explain development exhibits significant or major deficiencies.

Non-Performance - Application of theory to explain development is absent or wholly deficient.

Distinguished - Evaluation of theory reveals accurate theoretical detail and is scholarly and compelling.

Proficient - Evaluation of theory is above expectations but less than excellent.

Basic - Evaluation of theory meets, but is not above, expectations.

Below Expectations - Evaluation of theory exhibits significant or major deficiencies.

Non-Performance - Evaluation of theory is absent or wholly deficient.

Distinguished - Critique of theory reveals accurate theoretical detail and is scholarly and compelling.

Proficient - Critique of theory is above expectations but less than excellent.

Basic - Critique of theory meets, but is not above, expectations.

Below Expectations - Critique of theory exhibits significant or major deficiencies.

Non-Performance - Critique of theory is absent or wholly deficient.

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 - 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.