Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes observations of the local news media stories occurring over a three-week period.

Proficient - Summarizes observations of the local news media stories occurring over a three-week period. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally summarizes observations of the local news media stories occurring over a three-week period. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize observations of the local news media stories occurring over a three-week period; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of the observations of the local news media stories occurring over a three-week period was either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains whether or not the media influences the criminal justice policy process.

Proficient - Explains whether or not the media influences the criminal justice policy process. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally explains whether or not the media influences the criminal justice policy process. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain whether or not the media influences the criminal justice policy process; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The explanation of whether or not the media influences the criminal justice policy process is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes the news stories to determine affect on crime control policies of the local criminal justice system serving the community.

Proficient - Analyzes the news stories to determine affect on crime control policies of the local criminal justice system serving the community. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally analyzes the news stories to determine affect on crime control policies of the local criminal justice system serving the community. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze the news stories to determine affect on crime control policies of the local criminal justice system serving the community; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of the news stories to determine affect on crime control policies of the local criminal justice system serving the community is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the role of media influence on criminal justice policy in the local community or state based on personal analysis.

Proficient - Evaluates the role of media influence on criminal justice policy in the local community or state based on personal analysis. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally evaluates the role of media influence on criminal justice policy in the local community or state based on personal analysis. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the role of media influence on criminal justice policy in the local community or state based on personal analysis; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the role of media influence on criminal justice policy in the local community or state based on personal analysis 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 - 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 - 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 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.