Distinguished - Comprehensively summarizes the selected area of focus and the associated problem statement or situation for the action research proposal.

Proficient - Summarizes the selected area of focus and the associated problem statement or situation for the action research proposal. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally summarizes the selected area of focus and the associated problem statement or situation for the action research proposal. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the selected area of focus and the associated problem statement or situation for the action research proposal; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The summary of the selected area of focus and the associated problem statement or situation for the action research proposal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively restates the research question.

Proficient - Restates the research question. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Vaguely restates the research question. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to restate the research question; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The research question is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Completes a comprehensive summary table for each of the two articles, including all the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Proficient - Completes a summary table for each of the two articles, including most of the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Completes a minimal summary table for each of the two articles, including few of the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Attempts to complete a summary table for each of the two articles; however, does not include many of the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Non-Performance - The summary table for each of the two articles, including all the elements described in the assignment instructions is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Completes a thorough literary evaluation table for each of the two articles, including all the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Proficient - Completes a literary evaluation table for each of the two articles, including most of the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Basic - Completes a minimal literary evaluation table for each of the two articles, including few of the elements described in the assignment instructions.

Below Expectations - Attempts to complete a literary evaluation table for each of the two articles, including all the elements described in the assignment instructions; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The literary evaluation table for each of the two articles, including all the elements described in the assignment instructions is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately identifies one early childhood theory that could be used to support the proposal.

Proficient - Identifies one early childhood theory that could be used to support the proposal. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely identifies one early childhood theory that could be used to support the proposal. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify one early childhood theory that could be used to support the proposal; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The identification of one early childhood theory that could be used to support the proposal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately defines research related terms.

Proficient - Defines research related terms. Minor details are slightly unclear or inaccurate.

Basic - Vaguely defines research related terms. Relevant details are unclear and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define research related terms; however, significant details are unclear and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The definition of research related terms is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively describes what intervention one would suggest and why.

Proficient - Describes what intervention one would suggest and why. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Vaguely describes what intervention one would suggest and why. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe what intervention one would suggest and why; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The description of what intervention one would suggest and why 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 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.