Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively describes two main differences between Homo erectus and the earlier Australopithecine species.

Proficient - Accurately describes two main differences between Homo erectus and the earlier Australopithecine species. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes two main differences between Homo erectus and the earlier Australopithecine species. The description is inaccurate and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe two main differences between Homo erectus and the earlier Australopithecine species; however, the description is inaccurate and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of two main differences between Homo erectus and the earlier Australopithecine species is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively describes the geographical distribution of the species in the genus that came before Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis, focusing primarily on Homo erectus.

Proficient - Accurately describes the geographical distribution of the species in the genus that came before Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis, focusing primarily on Homo erectus. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes the geographical distribution of the species in the genus that came before Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis, somewhat focusing on Homo erectus. The description is inaccurate and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the geographical distribution of the species in the genus that came before Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis; however, does not focus on Homo erectus; and the description is inaccurate and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the geographical distribution of the species in the genus that came before Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis, focusing primarily on Homo erectus is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens.

Proficient - Accurately describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens. The description is inaccurate and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe two main differences between the skull features of Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens; however, the description is inaccurate and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of two main differences between the skull features of Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo sapiens and Homo erectus.

Proficient - Accurately describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo sapiens and Homo erectus. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally describes two main differences between the skull features of Homo sapiens and Homo erectus. The description is inaccurate and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe two main differences between the skull features of Homo sapiens and Homo erectus; however, the description is inaccurate and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of two main differences between the skull features of Homo sapiens and Homo erectus is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and accurately explains the Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution and migration. including approximate dates for reaching Europe, Australia and the Americas.

Proficient - Accurately explains the Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution and migration including approximate dates for reaching Europe, Australia and the Americas. The explanation is slightly unclear.

Basic - Minimally explains the Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution and migration, and includes approximate dates for reaching Europe, Australia, and the Americas. The explanation is inaccurate, unclear, and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution and migration; however, does not include approximate dates for reaching Europe, Australia, and the Americas, and the description is inaccurate, unclear, and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of Out-of-Africa theory of human evolution and migration, including approximate dates for reaching Europe, Australia, and the Americas is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately and comprehensively explains the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis.

Proficient - Accurately explains the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis. The explanation is inaccurate and/or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis; however, the explanation is entirely inaccurate and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the evolutionary relationship between Homo sapiens and Homo neandertalensis is either nonexistent or lacks 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 - 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.