ASSESSING ARTS EDUCATORS: HOW THE PERFORMANCES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL ART TEACHERS ARE ASSESSED IN VIRGINIA

• Main Author: Palumbo, Jill
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2013
• Subjects: assessment evaulation art educatio teacher performance; assessment evaluation art education teacher performance; Art Education; Education
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/3204; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4203&context=etd

Teacher assessment is a hot topic in today’s high-stakes, test-driven, accountability-focused educational environment. My recent research addresses how high school art educators, under the umbrella of non-tested subjects and grades, are assessed in their classroom teaching practices in Virginia. Based on my findings, it is clear that while the teachers surveyed do not fear accountability, they are wary of being evaluated by those who lack the content knowledge in the arts, by methods that are subjective, and with criteria that is inflexible. This thesis addresses the need to develop open forums that include the educator’s voice in order to create better teacher assessments that focus on student learning achievement in authentic and holistic ways. By learning about and sharing resources regarding how teachers in non-tested subjects and grades are evaluated suggestions are made to organize resources that may help develop more authentic assessments for art teachers focusing on meaningful student learning and achievement.