Assessing art in a classroom is perhaps more complicated than assessing students in other content areas. Within a class, students are at many different artistic skill levels, so it is difficult to grade all students on the same scale. Students will have different strengths, and some will pick up techniques easier than others. For some, art might be a passion of some students and they will feel intrinsically motivated to create good, meaningful work. Other students may not only struggle in executing skills due to their lack of exposure, but they might also simply dislike art. As an art teacher, I wouldn't set higher or lower standards for these students, but rather I'd set different standards. Instead of comparing a student's work with to their classmates', I think is is important to look at their personal growth. From seeing how a student progresses and improves throughout lessons, a teacher can determine what they have learned. It is also beneficial for the students themselves to see how they have grown throughout their art work. I also think that it is important for art educators to communicate with students that mistakes shouldn't be viewed as "bad." In other subjects, students are used to thinking that a mistake means something is incorrect, and therefore a failure. However in art, mistakes are simply learning tools for success. Without first making errors, an artist doesn't grow. When assessing students in my classroom, I think it's important they have a part in the process. For every unit, I think students should view their classmates' work and exchange suggestions and feedback. I want my students to be able to talk openly about their work. Furthermore, I think it is vital for students to self-critique through reflection. By answering questions about their own art pieces, they can recognize what they have learned and realize what they can improve on.
Art assessment is more difficult because it requires subjective thinking. It is important that students get feedback during the process of making as well as when they have completed the work. I agree that working through mistakes and especially identifying mistakes is important as we take risks and play with visual ideas and processes.'It is also beneficial for the students themselves to see how they have grown throughout their art work. I also think that it is important for art educators to communicate with students that mistakes shouldn't be viewed as "bad." In other subjects, students are used to thinking that a mistake means something is incorrect, and therefore a failure. However in art, mistakes are simply learning tools for success."
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