Evaulation requirements | Jason's Dedicant Path ADF

For all requirements:

Plagarism will not be tolerated. Any plagiarism is cause for rejection of a submission. Cite items that are quoted or borrowed from others in a consistent, clear fashion. Using a standard citation style is preferred.
Word count must meet minimum requirements and should not exceed 3X the listed minimum (e.g. A word count minimum of 125 words will have a maximum of 375 words).
Excessive quoting may be taken into consideration by a Reviewer. “Minimum word count” is the minimum amount of original material expected from the student.
Non-essay submissions and alternate resources MUST be approved by the Dedicant Preceptor in writing or email prior to submission.

Individual Requirements:

Written discussion of the Dedicant’s understanding of each of the following nine virtues: wisdom, piety, vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation and fertility. The Dedicant may also include other virtues, if desired, and compare them to these nine. (125 words min. each)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Word length inadequate
  - Does not include all nine virtues
  - Misunderstands meaning of one or more of the Nine Virtues
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Includes all Nine Virtues and any additional virtues the student wishes to include
  - Subjective combined with objective approach [e.g., “This is what it means (dictionary definition); this is what it means to me.”]
  - Note: dictionary definitions will not be included as part of the word count.
Short essays on each of the eight ADF High Days including a discussion of the meaning of each feast. (125 words min. each)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Does not include all eight high days
  - Lack of objective, factual analysis of high days
  - Lacks discussion of common Neopagan traditions for one or more of the eight high days
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Includes descriptions all eight high days
  - Covers common Neopagan (not necessarily a specific Indo-European hearth culture, though that information may be included) traditions and lore associated with each of the eight High Days
Short book reviews on at least: 1 Indo-European studies title, 1 preferred ethnic study title and 1 modern Paganism title. These titles can be selected from the recommended reading list in the Dedicant Program manual or the ADF web site, or chosen by the student, with prior approval of the Preceptor. (325 word min. each)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Wrong books for categories
  - Books not on reading list and no prior approval from Preceptor. Books not on the Recommended Reading List may be used with written approval from the Preceptor prior to submission. Email is acceptable as “written” approval. Student may be asked to show proof of approval to the Reviewer.
  - Doesn’t cover scope of book
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Correct books used
  - Convinces reader that student has read the books
  - Covers entire scope of books
A brief description, with photos if possible, of the Dedicant’s home shrine and plans for future improvements. (150 words min.)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Lacks future plans
  - Unwillingness to have any kind of tangible, permanent, physical place in home as place of worship
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Willingness to set up a permanent shrine, at least to start
  - Explains function/purpose of each item on the shrine
  - Student incorporates shrine into personal spiritual practice
  - Includes future plans
An essay focusing on the Dedicants understanding of the meaning of the “Two Powers” meditation or other form of ‘grounding and centering’, as used in meditation and ritual. This account should include impressions and insights that the Dedicant gained from practical experience. (300 word min)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Misunderstanding of the concept of “Two Powers,” if described
  - Misunderstanding of the concept of “grounding and centering” if the Two Powers is not described
  - Lacking in personal insight/opinions
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Use of “script” (at least to begin)
  - Script included for meditations other than the Two Powers (script does not count toward word count)
  - Basic understanding of the purpose of the Two Powers, if described
  - Basic understanding of the purpose of grounding and centering, if described
  - Description of impressions regarding how the concepts in the script fit into ADF-style Druidry
An essay or journal covering the Dedicant’s personal experience of building mental discipline, through the use of meditation, trance, or other systematic techniques on a regular basis. The experiences in the essay or journal should cover at least a five month period. (800 words min.)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Period of time inadequate
  - Lack of real effort
  - Unwillingness to try something new
  - Lack of any reflection
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Time period adequate (i.e. dated time period)
  - Willingness to try
  - Includes either journal entries OR detailed essay
  - Essay or journal shows personal growth, regularity and adequately describes techniques used
An account of the Dedicant’s efforts to work with nature, honor the Earth, and understand the impacts and effects of the Dedicant’s lifestyle choices on the environment and/or the local ecosystem and how she or he could make a difference to the environment on a local level. (500 word min)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Lacking spiritual connection
  - Lacking practical application of spiritual connection
  - Lack of respect for Earth and/or environmental concerns
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Develop a spiritual connection with nature
  - Demonstrate environmentally-sound habits in daily life
  - Student develops a spiritual connection with nature or deepens an existing one
  - Ties spiritual connection with lifestyle choices, describing impacts a student’s lifestyle has and how he or she will/does make a difference in those impacts
A brief account of each High Day ritual attended or performed by the Dedicant in a twelve-month period. High Days attended/performed might be celebrated with a local grove, privately, or with another Neopagan group. At least 4 of the rituals attended/performed during the training period must be ADF-style. (100 words min. each)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Less than four rites that follow the ADF Core Order of Ritual
  - Descriptions do not demonstrate that at least four rites follow the Core Order of Ritual
  - Reaction without substantive explanation of rites; lack of reaction with substantive explanations
  - Not all eight ADF high days included
  - Not all eight High Days within one twelve-month period
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Minimum of four rites that follow the ADF Core Order of Ritual
  - Includes all eight High Days in one twelve-month period
  - Objective description of ritual attended
  - Reaction and/or analysis to the ritual experience
  - All rites are performed within seven days of each date marked in the ADF Constitution:
    - Nov 1, Dec 21, Feb 1, Mar 21, May 1, June 21, Aug 1, Sept 21.
    - The student does not need to begin with Nov 1, but all eight High Days must be within one twelve-month period.
  - Additional rituals may be included, and students should provide objective descriptions and reactions to these, as well.
One essay describing the Dedicants understanding of and relationship to each of the Three Kindred: the Spirits of Nature, the Ancestors and the Gods. (300 words min. for each Kindred and 1000 words total)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - All three Kindreds not represented
  - Misunderstanding of concept of one or more Kindred
  - Describes a Kindred in specific, rather than broad terms (e.g., mono-cultural; individual deities; ancestors of family only)
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Categorical descriptions of each Kindred
  - Demonstrable understanding of each Kindred
  - Understanding of context for worship of each Kindred
A brief account of the efforts of the Dedicant to develop and explore a personal (or Grove-centered) spiritual practice, drawn from a specific culture or combination of cultures. (600 words min.)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Uninvolved, lack of practical application
  - Lack of spirituality or spiritual growth
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Word length adequate
  - Research and practice with at least one or more Indo-European hearth culture
  - Observable spiritual growth over the course of the training period
The text of the Dedicant’s Oath Rite and a self-evaluation of the Dedicant’s performance of the rite. (500 word min.)
- Inadequate/Does not meet criteria
  - Oath text not included
  - Self-evaluation of performance not included
  - Oath does not reflect a dedication specifically to the ideals and practices central to ADF Druidry
  - Oath is to ADF, the Archdruid, a particular Grove, a single patron or other inappropriate entity.
- Adequate/Meets Criteria
  - Includes oath text (does not count toward word count)
  - Includes self-evaluation of performance
  - Oath reflects a dedication specifically to the ideals and practices central to ADF Druidry