Government

PSN-AS-POLISCI 12: Texas Executive

Poor

1

Fair

2

Average

3

Exemplary

4

Development

of Ideas 50%

Response fails to demonstrate

an understanding of the

constitutional history of Texas

or does so in a vague or

confusing manner. May include

inaccurate or incorrect

information.

Response includes some of the

following elements, but fails to

demonstrate a detailed

understanding of the details or

chronological order of the

events: - The fragmented nature

of the Texas executive, the

governor is forced to share

power with other popularly

elected executive officials. The

Texas governor is considered

relatively weak compared to

other state governors who have

the power to appoint these

positions. - Much like the

president, the governor was

originally provided very few

formal powers. However, the

persuasion and personality of

governors have convinced state

legislators to increase their

power gradually over time. For

example, the Texas Governor

has gained substantial control

over Economic Development,

the term length has been

extended from the original 2 yrs

to 4 yrs, there are no term limits

on the governor, and the

governor has line-item veto

power over the budget. - The

governor has the ability to utilize

the bully pulpit to garner media

attention in an effort to sway

Response describes many of the

following elements: - The

fragmented nature of the Texas

executive, the governor is forced

to share power with other

popularly elected executive

officials. The Texas governor is

considered relatively weak

compared to other state

governors who have the power

to appoint these positions. -

Much like the president, the

governor was originally

provided very few formal

powers. However, the

persuasion and personality of

governors have convinced state

legislators to increase their

power gradually over time. For

example, the Texas Governor

has gained substantial control

over Economic Development,

the term length has been

extended from the original 2yrs

to 4 yrs, there are no term limits

on the governor, and the

governor has line-item veto

power over the budget. - The

governor has the ability to utilize

the bully pulpit to garner media

attention in an effort to sway

public opinion or legislative

action. He can also call the

legislature into special session to

Response effectively describes

most of the following elements:

• The fragmented nature of the

Texas executive, the governor is

forced to share power with other

popularly elected executive

officials. The Texas governor is

considered relatively weak

compared to other state

governors who have the power

to appoint these positions. •

Much like the president, the

governor was originally

provided very few formal

powers. However, the

persuasion and personality of

governors have convinced state

legislators to increase their

power gradually over time. For

example, the Texas Governor

has gained substantial control

over Economic Development,

the term length has been

extended from the original 2 yrs

to 4 yrs, there are no term limits

on the governor, and the

governor has line-item veto

power over the budget. • The

governor has the ability to utilize

the bully pulpit to garner media

attention in an effort to sway

public opinion or legislative

action. He can also call the

legislature into special session to

public opinion or legislative

action. He can also call the

legislature into special session to

focus on issues of his choosing. -

The governor of Texas is in

charge of the vast state

bureaucracy and is responsible

for appointing thousands of

government officials. The

governor is uses executive

orders and appointment powers

to impact the implementation of

policy. May include inaccurate

or incorrect information.

focus on issues of his choosing. -

The governor of Texas is in

charge of the vast state

bureaucracy and is responsible

for appointing thousands of

government officials. The

governor is uses executive

orders and appointment powers

to impact the implementation of

policy.

focus on issues of his choosing.

• The governor of Texas is in

charge of the vast state

bureaucracy and is responsible

for appointing thousands of

government officials. The

governor is uses executive

orders and appointment powers

to impact the implementation of

policy.

Organization

10%

A lack of organization

profoundly interferes with the

reader’s understanding of the

respondent’s point of view.

Response lacks transitions that

would help the reader follow

the essay. Both the introduction

and the conclusion are absent or

ineffective.

A lack of organization interferes

with the reader’s understanding

of the respondent’s point of

view. Response has few

transitions that would help the

reader follow the essay. Either

the introduction or the

conclusion or both are

ineffective.

Organization helps the reader

understand the respondent’s

point of view. Transitions

connect some concepts.

Contains an appropriate

introduction and conclusion.

Organization is clear and helps

the reader understand the

respondent’s point of view.

Transitions connect concepts

and guide the reader. Contains

an effective introduction and

conclusion.

Conventions

10%

Response contains a large

number of errors in grammar,

spelling, punctuation, or word

choice. Many errors interfere

with the reader’s understanding.

Response demonstrates little to

no variety in sentence structure.

Demonstrates a lack of control

over basic conventions.

Response contains a substantial

number of errors in grammar,

spelling, punctuation, or word

choice. Many errors interfere

with the reader’s understanding.

Response demonstrates little to

no variety in sentence structure.

Demonstrates minimal control

over basic conventions.

Response contains a significant

but not excessive number of

errors in grammar, spelling,

punctuation, or word choice.

Most errors do not interfere with

the reader’s understanding.

Response demonstrates some

variety in sentence structure.

Demonstrates control over basic

but not complex conventions.

Response does not contain a

significant number of errors in

grammar, spelling, punctuation,

or word choice. Errors do not

interfere with the reader’s

understanding. Response

demonstrates variety in sentence

structure. Demonstrates

sophistication and skill with a

wide variety of conventions.

Voice 10%

The writing may lack voice or

use a tone inappropriate for the

audience. Word choices are

vague, inappropriate, or

incorrect. Sentences may be

limited in variety or be

comprised of awkward

fragments or run-ons which

produce a halting voice. No

commitment to audience and/or

topic is evident.

The writing may have an

artificial or uneven tone. Word

choice may be simple and

limited, or overly jargonistic,

reflecting text written to

impress. There may be little

evidence the writer is engaged in

the topic; the text lacks

liveliness. Sentences may be

choppy, rambling, or repetitive

in a way that limits fluency.

There may be little or no

audience awareness.

The writing has a clear but

uncomplicated voice. The

writing is relatively fluent, but

overall it may lack spontaneity

and vitality. Word choice is

appropriate and functional.

Sentences may occasionally be

awkward or repetitious but

demonstrate some variety in

structure. Some awareness of

audience is evident.

The writing has an individual,

engaging voice with a

compelling tone. There is a

sense of a personality behind the

written words. Words are precise

and natural. Sentences are

graceful and clear with a natural

rhythm and variety that

demonstrate fluency. Awareness

of audience is evident.

Focus and

Coherence

20%

Response provides no

significant justification for its

conclusions or does so in a

vague or confusing manner.

Logic, examples, and

illustrative language are absent,

inconsistent, and/or ineffective.

References to people, events,

places, relationships, etc.

demonstrate no more than a

weak grasp of the relevant

concepts in Texas

Government.

Response provides some

justification for its conclusions.

Some combination of logic,

examples, and illustrative

language are present but are

inconsistent or somewhat

ineffective. References to

people, events, places,

relationships, etc. demonstrate

only a partial understanding of

the relevant concepts in Texas

Government.

Response justifies its

conclusions through some

combination of logic, examples,

and illustrative language.

References to people, events,

places, relationships, etc.

demonstrate a good command of

the relevant concepts in Texas

Government.

Response effectively justifies its

conclusions through logic,

examples, and illustrative

language. References to people,

events, places, relationships, etc.

effectively demonstrate a strong

command of the relevant

concepts in Texas Government.