Throughout this article, the voice of the author will weave with those of practicing art educators in order to illustrate the tension between objective and subjective assessment methods. The collages that appear throughout this article were created by students to illustrate their assessment dilemmas and are used with permission to visually…

Defines art history by examining visual and contextual information and distinguishes between the fine and applied arts. Discusses scientific neutrality and the personal and social uses of art. Concludes that it is impossible for art historians to be truly objective, but this should not be problematic because art historians interpret art works for…

Explores student assessment by portfolio approach as used in the Arts PROPEL project. Argues that the content of art knowledge is embedded in a process approach in which techniques, elements, formal analysis, and historical images can be explored. Observes that learning is an active process and teacher student interactions concerning the portfolio…

Asserts that, although portfolios are used frequently to evaluate art students, the potential of the portfolio as an intellectual, creative, and comprehensive test of artistic performance needs further exploration. Discusses the portfolio process as having three major components: (1) idea; (2) process; and (3) product. (CFR)

Describes the experiences of a student teacher who worked with two art teachers with contrasting ideas on how to structure their art instruction. Examines goal setting for student teaching, the role of the cooperating teacher, advantages and disadvantages of having the student teacher in the classroom, and evaluation procedures. (KM)

Reviews alternative assessment practices in several nations and questions whether these techniques should be used in the United States. Focuses on moderation, a technique in which trained evaluators adjust grades to ensure equitable distribution among participating schools. Concludes that evaluation in art education presents special problems and…

Notes the astonishing leap in capability and versatility of computers and considers their current and future use in art education. Lack of technical expertise is no longer a hindrance, as the current technology is user-friendly. Considers the computer's role in assessment, curriculum development, and research. (MJP)

Maintains that radical shifts in employment, technology, and education place a new emphasis on individual effort and responsibility. Argues that these circumstances mandate a more in-depth and widespread adoption of student self-evaluation. Posits self-evaluation models for elementary and junior high school grades. (MJP)

Compares the use of standardized tests and authentic assessment to measure student progress and achievement in art education. Reviews a variety of authentic assessment models and techniques. Concludes that authentic assessment is a powerful measure of student achievement and teaching effectiveness. (CFR)

Presents a simulated dialog among an art teacher, a school principal, and a school board member on student evaluation. Discusses issues related to the evaluation of art products as opposed to evaluation of student learning in art history and art criticism. Outlines issues of evaluating student creativity. (CFR)