Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly describes the current area of focus for the research, including required revisions thus far.

Proficient - Adequately describes the current area of focus for the research, including required revisions thus far. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the current area of focus for the research, including required revisions thus far. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the current area of focus for the research. Does not include required revisions thus far. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the current area of focus for the research is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly synthesizes the literature found with the matrix developed in EDU 671 to support the proposal.

Proficient - Adequately synthesizes the literature found with the matrix developed in EDU 671 to support the proposal. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally synthesizes the literature found with the matrix developed in EDU 671 to support the proposal. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively synthesizes the literature found with the matrix developed in EDU 671 to support the proposal. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The synthesis of the literature with the matrix developed in EDU 671 is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly describes the defining variables in specific and operational terms.

Proficient - Adequately describes the defining variables in specific and operational terms. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the defining variables in specific and operational terms. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the defining variables. May not use specific and operational terms in the description. Significant details are missing.

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

Distinguished - Effectively states the research question(s) in a list format. Shows a clear relationship to the action research project through concise wording.

Proficient - Adequately states the research question(s) in a list format. Shows a relationship to the action research project through concise wording. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Minimally states the research question(s) in a list format. Shows a relationship to the action research project. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively states the research question(s). Questions may not be in a list format or show a relationship to the action research project. Significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The research question(s) are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively and thoroughly analyzes the intervention/innovation as it pertains to the connection of the action research project to the field of education.

Proficient - Adequately analyzes the intervention/innovation as it pertains to the connection of the action research project to the field of education. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the intervention/innovation as it pertains to the connection of the action research project to the field of education. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively analyzes the intervention/innovation. May not focus on the connection of the action research project to the field of education. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the intervention/innovation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the type of data collection tools to be used in the study.

Proficient - Describes the type of data collection tools to be used in the study. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the type of data collection tools to be used in the study. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Ineffectively describes the type of data collection tools to be used in the study. Significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the type of the data collection tools 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 - 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 - 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.