Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies a social problem.

Proficient - Identifies a social problem. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely identifies a social problem. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify a social problem; however, significant details entirely unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of a social problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the individual, social, and criminal justice system implications of the problem.

Proficient - Describes the individual, social, and criminal justice system implications of the problem. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the individual, social, and criminal justice system implications of the problem. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the individual, social, and criminal justice system implications of the problem; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the individual, social, and criminal justice system implications of the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively, clearly, and accurately summarizes what experts say about the problem.

Proficient - Summarizes what experts say about the problem. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally summarizes what experts say about the problem. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize what experts say about the problem; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The summary of what experts say about the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains what society has done to remedy the problem.

Proficient - Explains what society has done to remedy the problem. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains what society has done to remedy the problem. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain what society has done to remedy the problem; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of what society has done to remedy the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes to what extent public policies and other, less formal responses are effective in addressing the problem.

Proficient - Analyzes to what extent public policies and other, less formal responses are effective in addressing the problem. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes to what extent public policies and other, less formal responses are effective in addressing the problem. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze to what extent public policies and other, less formal responses are effective in addressing the problem; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of to what extent public policies and other, less formal responses are effective in addressing the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately proposes a comprehensive alternative solution to the problem.

Proficient - Proposes an alternative solution to the problem. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Proposes a limited alternative solution to the problem. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose an alternative solution to the problem; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The alternative solution to the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes why the alternative is or can be an effective response to the problem.

Proficient - Analyzes why the alternative is or can be an effective response to the problem. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally analyzes why the alternative is or can be an effective response to the problem. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze why the alternative is or can be an effective response to the problem; however, the analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of why the alternative is or can be an effective response to the problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively and clearly concludes with thoughts about the chosen social problem.

Proficient - Concludes with thoughts about the chosen social problem. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally concludes with thoughts about the chosen social problem. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to conclude with thoughts about the chosen social problem; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The conclusion of thoughts about the chosen social problem is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a thorough, clear, and accurate annotated bibliography that includes complete bibliographic citations in proper APA format and summaries of each source, including how the source will contribute to the paper.

Proficient - Creates an annotated bibliography that includes complete bibliographic citations in proper APA format and summaries of each source, including how the source will contribute to the paper. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Creates a limited annotated bibliography that includes complete bibliographic citations in proper APA format and summaries of each source, including how the source will contribute to the paper. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create an annotated bibliography that includes complete bibliographic citations in proper APA format and summaries of each source, including how the source will contribute to the paper; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The annotated bibliography that includes complete bibliographic citations in proper APA format and summaries of each source, including how the source will contribute to the paper is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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.