Distinguished - Thoroughly developed introduction and thesis statement, giving a clear direction and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Clearly developed introduction and thesis statement, giving some direction and purpose of the paper.

Basic - Introduction and thesis statement are present, and somewhat give direction and purpose of the paper.

Below Expectations - Introduction and thesis statement are present, though incomplete. The direction and purpose of the paper is unclear.

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis statement are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the differences between treatment and punishment. Presents an argument for which option is stronger. The explanation is supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Explains the differences between treatment and punishment. Presents an argument for which option is stronger. The explanation is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially explains the differences between treatment and punishment. Presents a slightly unclear argument for which option was stronger. The explanation is somewhat supported by scholarly sources and is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the differences between treatment and punishment and present an argument for which option was stronger; however, the explanation is not supported by research and/or is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the differences between treatment and punishment component is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Presents a graphic display of juvenile crime statistical data for three cities or states, including at least three demographic items. The data is standardized and clearly presented.

Proficient - Presents a graphic display of juvenile crime statistical data for three cities or states, including three demographic items. The data is standardized but may be slightly unclear.

Basic - Presents a graphic display of juvenile crime statistical data for three cities or states, including three demographic items. The data is partially standardized or is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to present a graphic display of juvenile crime statistical data for three cities or states; however, the data does not include at least three demographic items, the data is not standardized, and/or is unclear.

Non-Performance - The graphic display of juvenile crime for three cities including three demographics is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies prevailing thought regarding treatment vs. punishment in cities or states and thoroughly analyzes recidivism rates within those cities or states.

Proficient - Identifies prevailing thought regarding treatment vs. punishment in cities or states presented and analyzes recidivism rates within those cities or states. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies prevailing thought regarding treatment vs. punishment in cities or states presented and partially analyzes recidivism rates within those cities or states. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies prevailing thought regarding treatment vs. punishment in cities or states presented and attempts to analyzerecidivism rates within those cities or states; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The prevailing thought regarding treatment vs. punishment and analysis of recidivism rates within three cities or states is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thouroughly evaluates whether biological, sociological or psychological theories best supports one’s thesis in explaining juvenile delinquency.

Proficient - Evaluates whether biological, sociological or psychological theories best supports one’s thesis in explaining juvenile delinquency. The evaluation is well developed and supports student’s thesis.

Basic - Minimally evaluates whether biological, sociological or psychological theories best supports one’s thesis in explaining juvenile delinquency. The evaluation is slightly under developed and slightly supports student’s thesis.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate whether biological, sociological or psychological theories best supports one’s thesis in explaining juvenile delinquency. The evaluation of theories is significantly under developed and support for student’s thesis is unclear.

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

Distinguished - Identifies and thoroughly explains which juvenile justice intervention strategy would be effective to counter the crime or criminal justice. The explanation is supported with research.

Proficient - Identifies and explains which juvenile justice intervention strategy would be effective to counter the crime or criminal justice. The explanation is supported with research but is missing minor details.

Basic - Identifies and partially explains which juvenile justice intervention strategy would be effective to counter the crime or criminal justice. The explanation is somewhat supported with research and is missing relevant details.

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts to explain which juvenile justice intervention strategy would be effective to counter the crime or criminal justice; however, the explanation is not supported with research and/or is missing significant details.

Non-Performance - The explanation of effective intervention strategies is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes which concept treatment or punishment best supports the concept of social justice. The summary is clear, well developed and supported by research.

Proficient - Summarizes which concept (treatment or punishment) best supports the concept of social justice. The summary is clear and well developed.

Basic - Minimally summarizes which concept (treatment or punishment) best supports the concept of social justice. The summary is slightly unclear and under developed.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize which concept (treatment or punishment) best supports the concept of social justice; however,  the summary is unclear and significantly under developed.

Non-Performance - The summary of treatment or punishments support of the concept of social justice is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive 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 - Displays information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects the application of 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 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 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 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.