Distinguished - Identifies an urban growth policy within the community, provides a comprehensive overview and thoroughly interprets the criteria of the policy. Effectively applies strong, appropriate examples to support the overview and interpretation.

Proficient - Identifies an urban growth policy within the community, provides an overview, and interprets the criteria of the policy. Applies appropriate examples to support the overview and interpretation but minor details are missing.

Basic - Identifies an urban growth policy within the community, provides a limited overview, and partially interprets the criteria of the policy. Applies somewhat appropriate examples to support the overview and interpretation and relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Identifies an urban growth policy within the community, attempts to provide an overview and interpret the criteria of the policy; however, does not apply examples to support the overview and interpretation and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The identification of urban growth policy within the community, the overview, and interpretation of the criteria of the policy are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Completely analyzes the impact of the policy and how it has assisted in community development and thoroughly explains at least two considerations that public administrators must address to effectively influence public behavior.

Proficient - Analyzes the impact of the policy and how it has assisted in community development and explains at least two considerations that public administrators must address to effectively influence public behavior. The analysis or explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes the impact of the policy and how it has assisted in community development and somewhat explains at least two considerations that public administrators must address to effectively influence public behavior. The analysis and/or explanation are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the impact of the policy and how it has assisted in community development and explain at least two considerations that public administrators must address to effectively influence public behavior; however, the analysis and explanation are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the policy and how it has assisted in community development and explanation of at least two considerations that public administrators must address to effectively influence public behavior are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses the anticipated or direct positive and negative impacts on the community in regards to sustainability, transportation, and smart growth. Effectively applies strong, appropriate examples to support the discussion.

Proficient - Discusses anticipated or direct positive and negative the impacts on the community in regards to sustainability, transportation, and smart growth. Applies appropriate examples to support the discussion. Minor details are missing, or the discussion is slightly unbalanced.

Basic - Briefly discusses anticipated or direct positive and negative impacts on the community in regards to sustainability, transportation, and smart growth. Applies somewhat appropriate examples to support the discussion. Relevant details are missing and/or the discussion is unbalanced.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the anticipated or direct positive and negative impacts on the community in regard to sustainability, transportation, and smart growth; however, may not apply examples to support the discussion. Significant details are missing and the discussion is severely unbalanced.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the anticipated or direct positive and negative impacts on the community in regards to sustainability, transportation, smart growth is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

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

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

Basic - The 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 - The 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 - 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 - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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

Distinguished - Adapts and employs, independently, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations. Solves difficult problems or explores complex issues in original ways.

Proficient - Utilizes skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations, contributing to an understanding of problems or issues.

Basic - Attempts to utilize, in a basic way, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation, in a new situation.

Below Expectations - Attempts to utilize, in a basic way, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation in a new situation. Such attempts may be ineffective.

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

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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.