Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Developing toward Expectations

Historical Analysis and Contemporary Application

(I, VII)*

Identifies a U.S. institution and describes its historical, economic, and/or ideological origins, with sophisticated discussion of the institution’s effect on groups and individuals, historically and in contemporary society.

Identifies a U.S. institution and describes its historical, economic, and/or ideological origins, with basic attention given to the institution’s effect on groups and individuals, historically and/or in contemporary society.

Identifies a U.S. institution and provides limited description of its historical, economic, and/or ideological origins with limited attention to its effect on groups or individuals. 

Effectively analyzes principles of U.S. constitutional democracy and relevant competing perspectives on those principles in historical or contemporary context. 

Identifies basic principles of U.S. constitutional democracy and relevant competing perspectives on those principles in historical or contemporary context.

Minimally identifies basic principles of U.S. constitutional democracy but does not adequately recognize competing perspectives.

Foundational U.S. Documents and Laws: Constitution and Supreme Court Cases 

(III, IV, V)*

Defines sophisticated connections between one or more elements of the U.S. Constitution and a historical or contemporary debate, including one or more Supreme Court cases when relevant.  

Connects one or more elements of the U.S. Constitution effectively to a historical or contemporary debate, including one or more Supreme Court cases when relevant. 

Provides limited or no description of elements of the U.S. Constitution and does not connect those elements to historical or contemporary debates or landmark Supreme Court cases.

Civic Communication and Action

(VI)*

Effectively constructs an argument or discussion regarding civic action that incorporates multiple perspectives and/or other evidence.

Adequately constructs an argument or discussion regarding civic action that at least minimally references multiple perspectives or other evidence.

Constructs an argument or discussion regarding civic action that is ineffective, neither offering reference to multiple perspectives or other evidence.