Unsatisfactory

1

Poor

2

Fair

3

Above Average

4

Excellent

5

Score

Describe the backgrounds of at least three Members of Congress.

The student incorrectly describes the backgrounds of Members of Congress.

The student describes the backgrounds of fewer than three Members of Congress.

The student describes the backgrounds of three Members of Congress.

The student describes the backgrounds of more than three Members of Congress.

The student describes the backgrounds of more than three Members of Congress and explains each Member’s current role in Congress (committee work, subcommittee work, or bills he or she has introduced).

Identify the student’s current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government.

The student incorrectly names his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names only some of his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress and knows each Member’s party affiliation.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress, knows each Member’s party affiliation, describes each Member’s current role in Congress (committee work, subcommittee work, or bills he or she has introduced).

Describe the background of at least one local Representative or Senator.

The student is unable to identify his or her Representatives and therefore can not describe their background.

The student incorrectly describes the background of his or her Representatives.

The student describes the background of one local Representative or Senator.

The student describes the background of more than one local Representative or Senator.

The student is able to describe the background of all of his or her local Representatives and Senators.

Identify at least three Members of Congress who became President of the United States .

The student names Presidents who had not been Members of Congress.

The student names fewer than three Members of Congress who became President of the United States .

The student names three Members of Congress who became President of the United States .

The student names more than three Members of Congress who became President of the United States .

The student names more than three Members of Congress who became President of the United States and lists the dates the Presidents served in

Congress and the dates they served as

President.

Describe the notable accomplishments of at least one Member of Congress who became President.

The student is unable to name one Member of Congress who became President and therefore cannot describe one notable accomplishment.

The student incorrectly describes the notable accomplishments of one Member of Congress who became President.

The student describes the notable accomplishments of one Member of Congress who became President.

The student describes the notable accomplishments of more than one Member of Congress who became President.

The student describes the notable accomplishments of more than one Member of Congress who became President and lists the dates the Presidents served in Congress and the dates they served as

President .

Explain what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is.

The student cannot explain what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is.

The student identifies one person who has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, but cannot explain what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is.

The student explains what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is.

The student explains what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is and names the types of people who have received this honor.

The student explains what the Presidential Medal of Freedom is, names the types of people who have received this honor, and describes some of the reasons why people have received this honor.

Name five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and explain why these people received this honor.

The student names fewer than five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and does not explain why these people received this honor.

The student names fewer than five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and explains why these people received this honor.

The student names five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and explains why these people received this honor.

The student names more than five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and explains why these people received this honor.

The student names more than five people who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, explains why these people received this honor, and describes how the Presidential

Medal of Freedom recipient has inspired others.

Unsatisfactory

1

Poor

2

Fair

3

Above Average

4

Excellent

5

Score

Explain how at least two past Members of Congress have been disciplined.

The student identifies one Member of Congress who has been disciplined but is unable to explain how he or she was disciplined.

The student only explains how one past Member of Congress has been disciplined.

The student explains how two past Members of Congress have been disciplined.

The student explains how more than two past Members of Congress have been disciplined.

The student explains how more than two past Members of Congress have been disciplined and explains why they were disciplined.

Explain what the Constitution says about ethics in Congress.

The student incorrectly explains what the Constitution says about ethics in Congress.

The student knows that Section 5, Clause 2, of the Constitution mentions ethics in Congress but is unable to explain what this section states.

The student explains what the Constitution says about ethics in Congress.

The student explains that the Constitution assigns Congress the responsibility to discipline its Members and describes some of the House and Senate rules on Ethics.

The student explains that the Constitution assigns Congress the responsibility to discipline its Members, describes some of the House and Senate rules on Ethics, and explains whether or not some misbehaviors of Members of Congress are worse than others.

Identify the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative.

The student incorrectly describes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative.

The student understands that the Constitution states the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative, but is unable to describe those requirements.

The student summarizes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative.

The student summarizes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative and explains some of the reasons why a person might be ineligible to become a U.S. Representative.

The student explains that Article I, Sections 2 and 3, of the U.S. Constitution describe the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator and Representative, summarizes the requirements, and explains some of the reasons why a person might be ineligible to become a U.S. Representative.

Identify the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator.

The student incorrectly describes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator.

The student understands that the Constitution states the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator, but is unable to describe the requirements.

The student summarizes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator.

The student summarizes the requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative and explains some of the reasons why a person might be ineligible to become a U.S. Senator.

The student explains that Article I, Sections 2 and 3, of the U.S. Constitution describe the requirements for becoming a U.S. Senator and Representative, summarizes the requirements, and explains some of the reasons why a person might be ineligible to become a U.S. Senator.

Explain the procedure for running for Representative or Senator.

The student is unable to explain the procedure for running for Representative or Senator.

The student understands that each state establishes a procedure for running for an elected office but is unable to describe this procedure.

The student gives a general overview of how to run for Representative or Senator in his or her state.

The student explains the step-by-step procedure for running for Representative or Senator in his or her state .

The student lists the qualifications and requirements for becoming a U.S. Representative or Senator, and explains the step-by-step procedure for running for Representative or Senator in his or her state .

Name and describe at least three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways, and identify the legislator who was primarily responsible for the passage of these laws.

The student names and describes fewer than three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways and is unable to identify the legislators who were primarily responsible for the passage of these laws.

The student names and describes fewer than three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways and identifies the legislators who were primarily responsible for the passage of these laws.

The student names and describes three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways and identifies the legislators who were primarily responsible for the passage of these laws.

The student names and describes more than three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways and identifies the legislators who were primarily responsible for the passage of these laws.

The student names and describes more than three laws that have benefited the nation in a variety of ways, identifies the legislators who were primarily responsible for the passage of these laws, and explains how these laws have impacted citizens’ lives.

Identify their current representatives in the legislative branch of the national government, as well as some former representatives.

The student incorrectly names his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names only some of his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress, names some former representatives from his or her state, and knows each Member’s party affiliation.

The student names all of his or her representatives in Congress, names some former representatives from his or her state, knows each Member’s party affiliation, and describes each Member’s current role of in Congress (committee work, subcommittee work, or bills he or she has introduced).