Distinguished - Comprehensively explains why changes were necessary in the existing response structure which lead to the National Response Framework (NRF) in use today.

Proficient - Explains why changes were necessary in the existing response structure which lead to the National Response Framework (NRF) in use today. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains why changes were necessary in the existing response structure which lead to the National Response Framework (NRF) in use today. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain why changes were necessary in the existing response structure which lead to the National Response Framework (NRF) in use today; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of why changes were necessary in the existing response structure which lead to the National Response Framework (NRF) in use today is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how the response dictated the National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) response would be used if the identified disaster occurred today.

Proficient - Explains how the response dictated the National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) response would be used if the identified disaster occurred today. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains how the response dictated the National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) response would be used if the identified disaster occurred today. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the response dictated the National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) S response would be used if the identified disaster occurred today; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the response dictated the National Response Framework (NRF) and National Incident Management Systems (NIMS)  response would be used if the identified disaster occurred today is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly, clearly, and accurately justifies whether or not states should take a more active role in emergency management at the local level and if implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) usurps state responsibility and jurisdiction when responding to a disaster.

Proficient - Justifies whether or not states should take a more active role in emergency management at the local level and if implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) usurps state responsibility and jurisdiction when responding to a disaster. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Partially justifies whether or not states should take a more active role in emergency management at the local level and if implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) usurps state responsibility and jurisdiction when responding to a disaster. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to justify whether or not states should take a more active role in emergency management at the local level and if implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) usurps state responsibility and jurisdiction when responding to a disaster; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The justification of whether or not states should take a more active role in emergency management at the local level and if implementation of the National Response Framework (NRF) usurps state responsibility and jurisdiction when responding to a disaster 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.

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.