Distinguished - Identifies a specific policy that clearly focuses on an aspect of U.S. government and fully addresses the four components in the instructions as the focus for the Final Paper.

Proficient - Identifies a specific policy that mostly focuses on an aspect of U.S. government and mostly addresses the four components in the instructions as the focus for the Final Paper. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Identifies a specific policy that somewhat focuses on an aspect of U.S. government and partially addresses the four components in the instructions as the focus for the Final Paper. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Identifies a specific policy that attempts to focus on an aspect of U.S. government and address the four components in the instructions as the focus for the Final Paper; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The specific policy that focuses on an aspect of U.S. government and addresses the four components in the instructions as the focus for the Final Paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the policy and its importance.

Proficient - Explains the policy and its importance. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the policy and its importance. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the policy and its importance; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The explanation the policy and its importance is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies four sources that support and relate to the specific policy.

Proficient - Identifies three sources that support and relate to the specific policy.

Basic - Identifies two sources that support and relate to the specific policy.

Below Expectations - Identifies one source that support and relate to the specific policy.

Non-Performance - The four sources that support and relate to the specific policy is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Develops a comprehensive paragraph for each of the four sources identified thoroughly explaining the source's significance regarding the policy.

Proficient - Develops a paragraph for each of the four sources identified explaining the source's significance regarding the policy. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Develops a limited paragraph for each of the four sources identified minimally explaining the source's significance regarding the policy. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to develop a paragraph for each of the four sources identified explaining the source's significance regarding the policy; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The development a paragraph for each of the four sources identified explaining the source's significance regarding the policy 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.