Distinguished - Selects a major ethnic group from the approved list and provides an exceptionally thorough description of the selected ethnic group in the United States, including the group’s composition and hierarchical status.

Proficient - Selects a major ethnic group from the approved list and provides a sufficient description of the selected ethnic group in the United States, including the group’s composition and hierarchical status. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Selects a major ethnic group from the approved list and provides a somewhat limited description of the selected ethnic group in the United States. Relevant details about the ethnic group’s composition or hierarchical status in the United States are missing.

Below Expectations - Selects an ethnic group and attempts to provide a description of the selected ethnic group in the United States; however, the description does not include the ethnic group’s composition and hierarchical status in the United States and/or the ethnic group was not selected from the approved list.

Non-Performance - The selection and description of one ethnic group in the United States are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a detailed and focused examination of the history of the selected ethnic group in the United States, addressing all of the required elements listed in the assignment instructions.

Proficient - Provides a sufficiently focused examination of the history of the selected ethnic group in the United States, addressing all of the required elements listed in the assignment instructions. However, the examination lacks detail in the coverage of one of these elements.

Basic - Provides an examination of the history of the selected ethnic group in the United States, at least partially addressing all of the required elements listed in the assignment instructions. However, the examination lacks detail or focus, overall.

Below Expectations - Provides a minimal examination of the history of the selected ethnic group in the United States, addressing at least two of the required elements listed in the assignment instructions. The examination is unfocused and/or lacks significant details.

Non-Performance - The examination of the history of the selected ethnic group in the United States is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly provides a wholly relevant example of a widely held myth or misconception about the selected ethnic group, fully addressing how we know the misconception is a myth and why it has persisted.

Proficient - Provides an example of a widely held myth or misconception about the selected ethnic group, addressing how we know the misconception is a myth and why it has persisted.The example is mostly relevant and provides a sufficiently clear picture of the misconception.

Basic - Provides an example of a widely held myth or misconception about the selected ethnic group, but the example is somewhat unclear and/or irrelevant and may not address how we know the misconception is a myth or why it has persisted.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an example of a widely held myth or misconception about the selected ethnic group; however, the example is unclear, irrelevant, and/or insufficient to demonstrate how we know the misconception is a myth and why it has persisted.

Non-Performance - The example of a widely held myth or misconception about the selected group 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 - 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 paper meets the specific page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The paper closely meets the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the page requirement is completed.

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.