The Power Standard for this unit is the Next Generation Science Standard MS ESS 3-4 which states that students must be able to construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

The rubric for this standard is as follows:

If your child achieves a level 1, she/he is considered not proficient for this Power Standard.  However, it means that the student can analyze evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

If your child achieves a level 2, she/he is considered partially proficient for this Power Standard.  However, it means that the student can synthesize evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

If your child achieves a level 3, she/he is considered proficient for this Power Standard, such that the student can construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.

If your child achieves a level 4, she/he is considered advanced for this Power Standard, because the student can propose a solution to reduce the impact of increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.