Public Policy Paper Rubric

CRITERIA
4 - Advanced
3 - Proficient
Introduction
includes
Thorough
Introduction

2 - Basic

1 - Below Basic
Little/no development
of background, does
not create interest in
the topic

an interesting
grabber at the
beginning

background
development of
the policy

Some background
development, but
does not
adequately
describe the policy

Background
development is
interesting, thorough
and complete

Creates an
accurate context
for topic and
addresses both
countries

Does not introduce

both countries
discussed

Background
of Policy in
First
country

Thesis is
sophisticated and
compares the
effectiveness of
policy making
History of policy is
thorough and
interesting;
addresses both sides
of the issue

Effectivenes
s of Policy
in First
Country

The interaction
among groups and
individuals that
influenced the policy
is discussed
Sophisticated
measure of
effectiveness (may
consider short and
long term)
Analyzes WHY the
policy is effective or
ineffective

Background
of Policy in
Second
Country

May conclude that

the policy is
effective in some
ways and ineffective
in other ways
History of policy is
thorough and
interesting;
addresses both sides
of the issue

Effectivenes
s of Policy
in the
Second

The interaction
among groups and
individuals that
influenced the policy
is discussed
Sophisticated
measure of
effectiveness (may
consider short and
long term)

Thesis is clear,
analytical and
addresses the
entire prompt
History of policy is
thorough

No thesis/thesis is
disjointed or does not
address the prompt

Thesis does not

answer the how or
why
History of the
policy is basic

History of the policy is

superficial

The groups and

individuals that
influenced the
policy are
identified and
their contributions
are discussed

There is some
discussion of the
groups and
individuals who
influenced the
policy

The description of the

policy lacks important
details

Clear and
understandable
measure of
effectiveness

The measure of
effectiveness is
vague or
inaccurate

Does not explain how

the effectiveness of
the policy is being
measured

Explains WHY the

policy is effective
or ineffective

Basic analysis of
WHY the policy is
effectiveness or
ineffective

Little or no analysis of
WHY the policy is
effective or ineffective

History of policy is
thorough

History of the
policy is basic

History of the policy is

superficial

The groups and

individuals that
influenced the
policy are
identified and
their contributions
are discussed

There is some
discussion of the
groups and
individuals who
influenced the
policy

The description of the

policy lacks important
details

Clear and
understandable
measure of
effectiveness

The measure of
effectiveness is
vague or
inaccurate

Does not explain how

the effectiveness of
the policy is being
measured

Country

Comparison
of Policy
Effectivenes
s

Analyzes WHY the

policy is effective or
ineffective
May conclude that
the policy is
effective in some
ways and ineffective
in other ways
The paper compares
the effectiveness of
the policies in each
country
Explains the
similarities and/or
differences in why
the policies were
effective or
ineffective in a
sophisticated
manner

Citations /
Bibliograph
y/
Gapminder

Provides accurate
effective examples
of policys
effectiveness (or
lack thereof)
In-text
documentation is
error free

Basic analysis of
WHY the policy is
effectiveness or
ineffective

Little or no analysis of
WHY the policy is
effective or ineffective

Paper compares
the effectiveness
of the policies in
each country

There is some
comparison of
whether the
policies were
effective but the
comparison is
basic

There is little/no
comparison of the
effectiveness of
policies

Does not use any intext documentation

correctly or at all

Does not have a

Works cited page or
Works cited page is far
from APA style

Explains the
similarities or
differences in why
the policies are
effective or
ineffective
Provides
simple/basic
examples of
policys
effectiveness (or
lack thereof)

Paper has all the

necessary citations

May be missing
some citations

In-text
documentation has
some errors but
demonstrates
awareness of APA
style

Works cited page is

flawless (in accord
with APA standards)

Works cited page

has a few errors

Many citations are

missing

Paper may not

have a wide
variety of
sources/ some
sources may be of
questionable
reliability

Works cited page

has some errors
but demonstrates
awareness of APA
style

Has the required

number and types of
sources
Has a created a
Gapminder chart
that clearly and
accurately illustrates
the issue

Mechanics

Explains WHY the

policy is effective
or ineffective

Neat, clean, easy to

read
Flawless mechanics
and grammar
Writings is well
above the norm and
has a WOW factor

In-text
documentation is
mostly error free

Has a Gapminder
chart that
illustrates the
issue
Nearly error free
mechanics and
grammar
Well written

Has a Gapminder
chart but doesnt
seem to be related
to the issue
Editing/writing
errors get in the
way not
acceptable for the
final piece

Does not have any

citations

Sources do not meet

the requirements
/unreliable sources
Either does not have a
Gapminder chart at all
or it is so far off base
that it is meaningless
to the rest of the
paper
Riddled with
embarrassing spelling,
grammar, mechanical,
punctuation, and/or
organizational errors
Below grade level
editing