Distinguished - Provides a thorough and accurate description of an appropriate population segment.

Proficient - Provides an accurate description of an appropriate population segment. Some details could be further developed.

Basic - Provides a brief but, mostly accurate description of an appropriate population segment.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe a population segment; however, the description is lacking details or is inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The description of the population segment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a detailed and wholly accurate explanation of a relevant social issue that impacts the selected population segment.  Skillfully utilizes statistics and background data to inform and support the explanation.

Proficient - Provides an accurate explanation of a social issue that impacts the selected population segment. Utilizes statistics and background data to inform and support the explanation. Portions of the explanation could be further developed.

Basic - Provides a mostly accurate explanation of a social issue that impacts the selected population segment, and somewhat utilizes statistics and background data to inform and support the explanation. Portions of the explanation may be limited or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an explanation of a social issue that impacts the selected population segment; however, the explanation does not accurately convey the issue’s impact on the selected population segment or does not appropriately utilize statistics or background data as support.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the social issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a comprehensive and fully developed research study proposal. 

Proficient - Includes a sufficiently developed research study proposal, but portions of the proposal could be strengthened.

Basic - Includes a limited research study proposal; however, one component may need significant development.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a research study proposal; however, the research study proposal may be underdeveloped or missing significant components.

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

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately analyzes the social and cultural factors that contribute to the social issue. 

Proficient - Analyzes the social and cultural factors that contribute to the social issue.  Some details of the analysis could have been further developed.   

Basic - Provides a limited analysis of the social and cultural factors that contribute to the social issue. Portion of the analysis may be lacking details or unclear.   

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide an analysis of the social and cultural factors that contribute to the social issue; however, the analysis is underdeveloped, unclear, or missing significant details.

Non-Performance - The analysis of social and cultural factors are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Meticulously analyzes two sociological perspectives to provide context for the selected population in order to explain the most significant challenges faced by that population.

Proficient - Analyzes two sociological perspectives to provide context for the selected population in order to explain the most significant challenges faced by that population.  Some details of the analysis could have been further expanded. 

Basic - Provides a limited analysis of two sociological perspectives, which provides little context for the selected population. Given the restricted context, the significant challenges faced by that population may not be fully conveyed.     

Below Expectations - Attempts to   analyze two sociological perspectives; however, the analysis is minimal and provides little or no context for the explanation of the significant challenges faced by that population.

Non-Performance - The analysis of two sociological perspectives is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops a logical, consistent plan to solve a problem, identifies consequences of the solution, and can clearly communicate the reason for choosing the solution.

Proficient - Carefully chooses among alternatives, and develops a logical, consistent approach to problem solving.

Basic - Takes into account and eliminates less acceptable approaches to problem solving.

Below Expectations - Takes into account a single approach and uses the approach to problem solving.

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

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

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

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

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes 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 - 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.