Assessment Goals ~ Plan ~ Results~ Action

ART DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT PLAN

To assess the extent to which Art Department Goals are being met by the three art degree programs, a general assessment plan has been developed that includes the following elements:

• Syllabus review
• Classroom observation
• Exhibition of student work
• Student evaluations
• Alumni surveys

These elements are in addition to classroom and studio assessment methods implemented in individual classes. 

Assessment of applicants

In September 2002, the department implemented a portfolio review to assess high school student applicants to the department’s three degree program.  In addition to general admissions criteria, applicants portfolios were assessed with the criteria of skill with materials, skill with concepts, creativity, originality and artistic maturity.  Applicants also write a statement outlining their experiences with the visual arts and describe their career goals.

In addition to general assessment methods, specific assessment methods have been developed for each of the Art Department’s three degree programs.  

Bachelor of Science in Art Education

The Art Education program requires numerous assessments at transition points in the program that have been developed in collaboration with the Office of Teacher Certification.  These assessments are conducted by the professors in the art education methods courses and are overseen by the Art Education Coordinator.  A minimum GPA of 2.7 is recommended throughout the program and required for admission to student teaching.  The Art Education Assessment plan includes the following components:

• First year:  Completion of ED 2000 with 10 hour school observation component.  The teacher being observed completes an assessment form.
• Second year:  Completion of AE 2000 and AE 3050 with combined observation component of 20 hours with an assigned mentor.  The mentor completes an assessment form at the end of each semester.  Each course requires the development of a professional portfolio that is assessed at the end of each semester with a rubric.
• Second year:  Application to Teacher Education Candidacy with the required assessment forms completed by two of the student’s instructors.  Successful completion of Praxis I competency exam. 
• Third year:  Completion of AE 3060 and AE 3100 with combined observation component of 30 hours with an assigned mentor.  The mentor completes an assessment form at the end of each semester.  Each course requires the development of a professional portfolio that is assessed at the end of each semester with a rubric.
• Fourth year:  Application to student teaching requires assessment by the department prior to final approval.
• Fourth year:  Student teaching requires multiple assessment methods including self-assessment as well as assessment by the mentor and the supervisor.  The final student teacher portfolio is also assessed.
• Post-graduation:  Assessment is conducted at the conclusion of student teaching.  An alumni assessment is conducted one year following graduation.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and Graphic Design

Studio Art (Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture) and Graphic Design

The BFA programs requires numerous assessments at annual transition points in the program that are implemented by the BFA Coordinators in Studio Art and Graphic Design in collaboration with the art department faculty.  Rubrics have been developed for assessment of student achievement at annual transition points.  Assessment criteria for portfolio reviews include demonstration of skills and knowledge from studio courses, creativity and problem solving, work ethic, responsiveness to critique, and demonstration of self reflection and self- assessment.  The BFA assessment plan includes the following components:

• First year:  First year entrance portfolio review during the spring semester that includes work from two courses in drawing, 2-D and 3-D design.  Sketchbooks are also reviewed.  BFA applicant’s portfolio needs to be accepted for admission into the BFA program and continuation to year two.  A rubric is used to assess the portfolio.
• Second year:  Students may enter the program or re-apply to the program at the end of the fall semester of their second year.  The portfolio requirements include the contents of the first year portfolio as well as representative work from second year studio courses. A rubric is used to assess the portfolio.
• Second year:  Students who were accepted to the program during their first year have a second year portfolio review at the end of the spring semester.  The content of the second year portfolio includes drawings as well as representative works from all second year classes.  A rubric is used to assess the portfolio.
• Third year:  Students may enter the program or re-apply to the program at the end of the fall semester of their third year.  The portfolio requirements include the contents of the first and second year portfolio as well as representative work from third year studio courses. A rubric is used to assess the portfolio.
• Third year:  Students who were accepted to the program during their second year have a pre-thesis portfolio review at the end of the spring semester of their third year.  The content of the third year portfolio includes drawings as well as representative works from all third year studio classes.  Students are required to give a presentation to the faculty at the time of the portfolio review.  A rubric is used to assess the portfolio and the student’s presentation.
• Fourth year: Students who were accepted to the program during their third year have a fourth year thesis portfolio review at the end of the fall semester of their fourth year.  The content of the fourth year thesis portfolio includes work in progress on the senior thesis project.  Students are required to give a presentation to the faculty at the time of the portfolio review.  A rubric is used to assess the portfolio and the student’s presentation.
• Fourth year:  BFA students completing their thesis are required to give a final presentation to the art department faculty during the BFA final exhibition at the end of the spring semester of their fourth year.  A rubric is used to assess the portfolio and the student’s presentation.  In addition, informal public gallery talks are presented by BFA thesis students during the exhibition.

Bachelor of Arts in Art

Art History, Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture

General assessment methods of BFA students include syllabus review, classroom observation, exhibition of student work, student evaluations and alumni surveys.  Discipline specific assessment methods at annual transition points of each programs are under development.