Distinguished - Thoroughly defines the selected term, and comprehensively explains why the term is important to know.

Proficient - Defines the selected term, and explains why the term is important to know. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially defines the selected term, and minimally explains why the term is important to know. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define the selected term and explain why the term is important to know; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The definition of the selected term and explanation of why the term is important are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses how the term affects living beings (including humans) and/or the physical environment.

Proficient - Discusses how the term affects living beings (including humans) and/or the physical environment. The discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally discusses how the term affects living beings (including humans) and/or the physical environment. The discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how the term affects living beings (including humans) and/or the physical environment; however, the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of how the term affects living beings (including humans) and/or the physical environment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Suggests two comprehensive, clear, specific actions that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term, and thoroughly explains how those actions will aid in safeguarding the environment.

Proficient - Suggests two specific actions that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term, and explains how those actions will aid in safeguarding the environment.. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Suggests two limited actions that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term, and minimally explains how those actions will aid in safeguarding the environment.. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to suggest two actions that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term and explain how those actions will aid in safeguarding the environment.; however, there is only one action suggested, the actions suggested do not promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term, and/or significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The two actions that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability in relation to the selected term and explanation of how those actions will aid in safeguarding the environment are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Fully supports ideas with clear, detailed examples.

Proficient - Supports ideas with clear examples. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially supports ideas with limited examples. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to support ideas with examples; however, significant details are missing and entirely unclear.

Non-Performance - The support of ideas with examples 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 - Uses more than the required number of credible or 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 credible or 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 credible or 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 credible or 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.