Unsatisfactory

1

Poor

2

Fair

3

Above Average

4

Excellent

5

Score

List examples of how laws have impacted his or her daily life.

The student lists an example of a law but does not explain how that law has impacted his or her daily life.

The student lists only one example of how laws have impacted his or her daily life.

The student lists two examples of how laws have impacted his or her daily life.

The student lists more than two examples of how laws have impacted his or her daily life.

The student summarizes more than two laws and explains how these laws have impacted his or her daily life.

Describe how legislators debate, discuss, and pass into law public policies that affect individuals and society.

The student incorrectly describes the legislative process.

The student gives the textbook summary of how a bill becomes a law, but does not talk about the debates and compromises that take place.

The student describes how legislators debate, discuss, and pass into law public policies that affect individuals and society.

The student discusses the importance of debate in the legislative process and cites a current example of a public policy issue, and describes the debates that are currently taking place about the issue.

The student discusses the importance of debate in the legislative process and cites a current example of a public policy issue, describes the debates that are currently taking place about the issue, and explains how this public policy will affect his or her life.

Explain the purpose of government.

The student incorrectly describes the purpose of government.

The student understands that nations have different types of governments but does not explain the purpose of governments.

The student explains that the purpose of government is to promote the general welfare and safety of its citizens.

The student explains that the purpose of government is to promote the general welfare and safety of its citizens and explains how the United States government fulfills its purpose.

The student explains that the purpose of government is to promote the general welfare and safety of its citizens, explains how the United States government fulfills its purpose, and describes the role of government in his or her life.

Describe the functions of government.

The student cannot describe the functions of government.

The student names only one function of government.

The student understands that governments make, enforce, and interpret laws; governments provide for safety and security; governments look out for the general welfare of the people and manage conflicts; and governments provide public services such as schools and transportation.

The student understands that governments make, enforce, and interpret laws; governments provide for safety and security; governments look out for the general welfare of the people and manage conflicts; and governments provide public services such as schools and transportation. The student also gives examples of how government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student understands that governments make, enforce, and interpret laws; governments provide for safety and security; governments look out for the general welfare of the people and manage conflicts; and governments provide public services such as schools and transportation. The student also gives examples of how government fulfills its responsibilities and impacts his or her daily activities.

Explain how the government impacts individuals and society.

The student is unable to explain how the government impacts individuals and society.

The student defines government but does not explain how the government impacts individuals and society.

The student explains how the government impacts individuals and society.

The student explains how the government impacts individuals and society and gives an example of how the government has impacted his or her own life.

The student discusses the purposes and functions of government, explains how the government impacts individuals and society, and gives an example of how the government has impacted his or her own life.

Explain what public policy is.

The student incorrectly describes public policy.

The student describes an example of public policy but is unable explain what public policy is.

The student explains what public policy is.

The student explains what public policy is, understands that s ome policies are passed into laws, and understands that some policies are contained in rules and regulations.

The student explains what public policy is, understands that s ome policies are passed into laws and that some policies are contained in rules and regulations, and explains how public policies strengthen the nation and help meet individual needs.

Identify examples of public policy.

The student is unable to identify an example of public policy.

The student identifies only one example of public policy.

The student identifies two examples of public policy.

The student identifies more than two examples of public policy.

The student identifies more than two examples of public policy and explains how these policies affect the lives of citizens.

Describe how public policy affects his or her life.

The student is unable to describe how public policy affects his or her life.

The student defines public policy but does not explain how public policy affects his or her life.

The student describes how public policy affects his or her life.

The student describes how public policy affects his or her life and cites a specific example of a law that has impacted his or her life.

The student describes how public policy affects his or her life, cites two specific examples of laws that has impacted his or her life.

Unsatisfactory

1

Poor

2

Fair

3

Above Average

4

Excellent

5

Score

Define the term federalism.

The student is unable to define the term federalism.

The student knows that the United States government is based on federalism but he or she is unable to define the term.

The student correctly defines the term federalism.

The student correctly defines the term federalism and explains why the Framers chose to create a government based on federalism.

The student correctly defines the term federalism, explains why the Framers chose to create a government based on federalism, and describes the characteristics of the U.S. government that make it a federalist government.

Identify the powers granted to the national government.

The student identifies only one power granted to the national government.

The student identifies only some of the powers granted to the national government.

The student identifies all of the powers granted to the national government.

The student identifies all of the powers granted to the national government and gives examples of how the national government uses these powers.

The student identifies all of the powers granted to the national government, gives examples of how the national government uses these powers, and explains how the national government affects his or her life.

Identify the powers granted to state governments.

The student identifies only one power granted to the state governments.

The student identifies only some of the powers granted to the state governments.

The student identifies all of the powers granted to the state governments.

The student identifies all of the powers granted and denied to the state governments.

The student identifies all of the powers granted and denied to the state governments and explains how the state governments affects his or her life.

Identify powers shared by the national and state governments.

The student is unable to identify the powers shared by the national and state governments.

The student identifies the powers of the national government or the state governments but not the powers shared by the two.

The student identifies powers shared by the national and state governments.

The student identifies powers shared by the national and state governments and describes how those governments work together to meet the needs of citizens.

The student identifies powers shared by the national and state governments, describes how those governments work together to meet the needs of citizens, and explains why the Framers separated the powers of government.

Describe the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

The student is unable to describe the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

The student defines the term government but is unable to explain how the Declaration of Independence describes government.

The student describes the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

The student describes the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence and evaluates how the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence helped shape American society.

The student describes the purpose of government, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, evaluates how the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence helped shape American society, and explains whether or not these ideals are still present in the current government.

Explain how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution.

The student is unable to explain how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution.

The student defines the term government but is unable to explain how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution.

The student explains how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution.

The student explains how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution and analyzes the historical origins of the American constitutional government.

The student explains how the purpose of government is reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution, analyzes the historical origins of the American constitutional government, and evaluates the American constitutional government.

Describe at least one way that the United States government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student incorrectly describes how the U.S. government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student defines U.S. government but does not explain how the government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student describes one way that the U.S. government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student describes more than one way that the U.S. government fulfills its responsibilities.

The student describes more than one way that the U.S. government fulfills its responsibilities and gives an example of government fulfilling its responsibilities.

Define the term representative democracy.

The student is unable to define the term representative democracy.

The student knows that the U.S. government is a representative democracy but is unable to explain what a representative democracy is.

The student defines the term representative democracy.

The student defines the term representative democracy and explains why the U.S. government is considered a representative democracy.

The student defines the term representative democracy, explains why the U.S. government is considered a representative democracy, and explains why the Framers decided to create a representative democracy.

Explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens.

The student is unable to explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens.

The student talks about how legislators and citizens interact but does not explain how the government responds to the needs of its citizens.

The student explains how the government responds to the needs of its citizens.

The student explains how the government responds to the needs of its citizens and gives an example of a law or policy that was created in response to the needs of citizens.

The student explains how the government responds to the needs of its citizens, gives an example of a law or policy that was created in response to the needs of citizens, and discusses how legislators determine the needs of citizens.

Describe the role of citizens in a representative democracy.

The student is unable to describe the role of citizens in a representative democracy.

The student explains what a citizen is but does not explain the role of citizens in a representative democracy.

The student describes the role of citizens in a representative democracy.

The student describes the role of citizens in a representative democracy and explains why it is important for citizens to participate in government.

The student describes the role of citizens in a representative democracy, discusses the relationship between legislators and citizens, and explains why it is important for citizens to participate in government.

Explain how citizens can influence public policy.

The student is unable to explain how citizens can influence public policy.

The student names one person who has influenced public policy but does not explain how citizens can influence public policy.

The student explains how citizens can influence public policy.

The student explains how citizens can influence public policy and gives an example of how an individual or group has influenced public policy.

The student explains how citizens can influence public policy, gives an example of how an individual or group has influenced public policy, and explains one way he or she would try to influence public policy.