Distinguished - Thoroughly describes how a country can measure its income equality.

Proficient - Describes how a country can measure its income equality. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes how a country can measure its income equality. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe how a country can measure its income equality; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of how a country can measure its income equality is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the effect of income inequality on the U.S. economy.

Proficient - Evaluates the effect of income inequality on the U.S. economy. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially evaluates the effect of income inequality on the U.S. economy. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the effect of income inequality on the U.S. economy; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the effect of income inequality on the U.S. economy is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately estimates the gap between people who hold bachelor’s and higher degrees and people who do not, and thoroughly explains the reasons why the inequality gap between educated and less-educated workers has widened.

Proficient - Estimates the gap between people who hold bachelor’s and higher degrees and people who do not and explains the reasons why the inequality gap between educated and less-educated workers has widened. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Vaguely estimates the gap between people who hold bachelor’s and higher degrees and people who do not, and minimally explains the reasons why the inequality gap between educated and less-educated workers has widened. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to estimate the gap between people who hold bachelor’s and higher degrees and people who do not and tries to explain the reasons why the inequality gap between educated and less-educated workers has widened; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The estimation of the gap between people who hold bachelor’s and higher degrees and people who do not and explanation of the reasons why the inequality gap between educated and less-educated workers has widened are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates whether increasing opportunities for higher education can reduce income inequality.

Proficient - Evaluates whether increasing opportunities for higher education can reduce income inequality. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially evaluates whether increasing opportunities for higher education can reduce income inequality. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate whether increasing opportunities for higher education can reduce income inequality; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of whether increasing opportunities for higher education can reduce income inequality is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes other factors widening income inequality in the U.S., and comprehensively recommends how to reduce educationally based income inequality or other factors as a federal policy maker.

Proficient - Analyzes other factors widening income inequality in the U.S., and recommends how to reduce educationally based income inequality or other factors as a federal policy maker. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally analyzes other factors widening income inequality in the U.S., and partially recommends how to reduce educationally based income inequality or other factors as a federal policy maker. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze other factors widening income inequality in the U.S. and tries to recommend how to reduce educationally based income inequality or other factors as a federal policy maker; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The analysis of other factors widening income inequality in the U.S. and recommendation of how to reduce educationally based income inequality or other factors as a federal policy maker are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains 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 - 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 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 are 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 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.