Art and Art History (Undergraduate)

Learning Outcomes/Goals:

  1. prepares students for employment in art education, focusing particularly on classroom teaching and museum education
  2. creating leaders in the field who function as a benefit to the institution, school district, and community in which they are employed.

Assessment Methods:

  1. Michigan Department of Education Office of Professional Preparation, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education: (external reviews) both of which highly value field opportunities for students as a criterion for program approval.
  2. In class activities: assessed by the instructor of record through observations, portfolio reviews, analysis of written assignments, peer assessment, self-reflection
  3. Direct feedback: personal and written feedback to the students from the faculty and field supervisors.
  4. College of Education secondary admission process
  5. Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Basic Skills: examination taken in the sophomore year
  6. Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Subject Area: examination taken in the senior year.

Assessment Results:

  1. A recent MDE review of our program requested greater explication in our course syllabi, with evaluation expectations made more explicit.
  2. Quantitative data from the College of Education secondary admission process revealed relative weaknesses in writing skills, necessary for students to fully engage in our innovative partnerships.
  3. Additionally, data reflecting our alumni employment rates show not only the effectiveness of our program, but the regions in which our graduates are likely to find employment.

Action Taken:

  1. All Art Education course syllabi were subsequently rewritten, and evaluation methods created that respond specifically to classroom work, studio work, preparation for field work, and assessment of field work.
  2. As a result of quantitative data gathered by the College of Education, we created a new course that focuses on research and writing.
  3. Because quantitative results of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification Subject Area Examination showed a need for greater student knowledge of international approaches to art and art history, program requirements were also adjusted to focus on these areas.
  4. Additionally, data reflecting our alumni employment rates show not only the effectiveness of our program, but the regions in which our graduates are likely to find employment. As a result, we have placed greater emphasis on training graduates with a thorough understanding of educational issues specific to rural, suburban, and urban school districts.

Results from Action Taken:

Though initial results are promising, a timeline has not been established long enough to produce significant data.

Future Plans:

  1. to pursue a more comprehensive assessment of our students’ career success/ professional development over a larger timeline
  2. continue to collect data regarding the viability of a masters program in Art Education.
  3. Because the Art Education Program is regularly reviewed by several external accrediting agencies, we are expected between reviews to respond to accreditation concerns. This provides a final systemic feedback loop.