Distinguished - Provides an in-depth background of the policy concern, and describes specific parties and points at issue with the policy concern.

Proficient - Provides a reasonable background of the policy concern, and provides some description of the parties and points at issue with the policy concern.

Basic - Provides a reasonable background of the policy concern, but lacks a sufficient description of the parties and points at issue with the policy concern.

Below Expectations - Provides an insufficient background of the policy concern, and lacks a sufficient description of the parties and points at issue with the policy concern.

Non-Performance - Thebackground of the policy concernis either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Assesses current status of the public policy issue and how it is being handled by the federal government in a thoughtful and sophisticated analysis, and provides current and relevant specifics of the federal government response.

Proficient - Assesses current status of the public policy issue and how it is being handled by the federal government in a general analysis, and provides relevant specifics of the federal government response.

Basic - Assesses current status of the public policy issue and how it is being handled by the federal government in a cursory analysis, and provides few specific details of the federal government response.

Below Expectations - Briefly assesses the current status of the public policy issue and how it is being handled by the federal government, and lacks any specific details of the federal government response.

Non-Performance - Theassessment of the current status of the public policy issue and how it is being handled by the federal governmentis either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Analyzes thoroughly and comprehensively potential ways the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issue.

Proficient - Analyzes in some detail potential ways the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issue.

Basic - Briefly analyzes potential ways the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issue.

Below Expectations - Fails to adequately analyze potential ways the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issue.

Non-Performance - Theanalysis of potential ways the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issueis either non-existent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates methodical  application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand.

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.

Basic - Demonstrates a basic 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 written work.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear.

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

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either non-existent 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 or syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

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

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title 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.  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 non-existent 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 requirements predetermined in the assignment description.

Basic - The paper meets over half of the page requirement.

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

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

Distinguished - Provides ample resources and uses the correct amount of sources from the specified search agent.

Proficient - Provides the approximate number of sources, while using some of the correct search agents specified in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Provides over half of the  sources required in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations -Barely provides adequate resources and unable to include sources from specified search agent. 

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