Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the main points presented. 

Proficient - Explains the main points presented. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped. 

Basic - Minimally explains the main points presented. The explanation is underdeveloped. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the main points presented; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The explanation of the main points presented is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes how this learning is new or how it has shaped one’s existing thinking.

Proficient - Describes how this learning is new or how it has shaped one’s existing thinking. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally describes how this learning is new or how it has shaped one’s existing thinking. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe how this learning is new or how it has shaped one’s existing thinking; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The description of how this learning is new or how it has shaped one’s existing thinking is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a detailed plan for how one as an early childhood education leader will use this knowledge to design, maintain, and lead an overall high-quality program.

Proficient - Creates a plan for how one as an early childhood education leader will use this knowledge to design, maintain, and lead an overall high-quality program. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Creates a partial plan for how one as an early childhood education leader will use this knowledge to design, maintain, and lead an overall high-quality program. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a plan for how one as an early childhood education leader will use this knowledge to design, maintain, and lead an overall high-quality program; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The plan for how one as an early childhood education leader will use this knowledge to design, maintain, and lead an overall high-quality program is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes an additional two online credible resources that can be used to further support the concept in the high-quality program.

Proficient - Summarizes an additional two online credible resources that can be used to further support the concept in the high-quality program. Minor details are missing. 

Basic - Minimally summarizes an additional two online credible resources that can be used to further support the concept in the high-quality program. Relevant details are missing. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize an additional two online credible resources that can be used to further support the concept in the high-quality program; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The summary of an additional two online credible resources that can be used to further support the concept in the high-quality program 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.