Distinguished - Thoroughly summarizes the issue and analyzes, addressing all the key aspects of this element.

Proficient - Summarizes the issue and analyzes, addressing all the key aspects of this element. The summary is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially summarizes the issue and analyzes, addressing all the key aspects of this element. The summary is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to summarize the issue and analyzes, addressing all the key aspects of this element; however, The summary is significantly underdeveloped.

Non Performance - The summary of the issue and analyzes, addressing all the key aspects of this element is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains the issue in historical context, addressing all the key aspects of this element.

Proficient - Explains the issue in historical context, addressing all the key aspects of this element. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Partially explains the issue in historical context, addressing all the key aspects of this element. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the issue in historical context, addressing all the key aspects of this element; however, significant details are missing.

Non Performance - The explanation of explains the issue in historical context, addressing all the key aspects of this element is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Proposes a clear and substantive set of policy options, clearly based on stated values, that one might take to resolve the identified issue, and fully addresses all key aspects of this element.

Proficient - Proposes a substantive set of policy options, based on stated values, that one might take to resolve the identified issue, and addresses all key aspects of this element. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Proposes a substantive set of policy options, minimally based on stated values, that one might take to resolve the identified issue, and partially addresses key aspects of this element. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to propose a substantive set of policy options, based on stated values, that one might take to resolve the identified issue; however, does not address all key aspects of this element, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non Performance - The proposal of a substantive set of policy options, based on stated values, that one might take to resolve the identified issue, and addresses all key aspects of this element is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a clear rationale, fully supported by facts and evidence, as to why each option would effectively address the chosen issue.

Proficient - Provides a rationale, supported by facts and evidence, as to why each option would effectively address the chosen issue. Minor details are missing or unclear.

Basic - Provides a rationale, minimally supported by facts and evidence, as to why each option would effectively address the chosen issue. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to provide a rationale, supported by facts and evidence, as to why each option would effectively address the chosen issue; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non Performance - The rationale, supported by facts and evidence, as to why each option would effectively address the chosen issue is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment 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.

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.