How Does Mr. R Assess Student Artwork?

After the first two weeks of observations, I asked Mr. R, "How do you assess your student's work?"

Although he did not give me a straight answer, I did conclude this:

Mr. R uses rubrics to grade his work. He gives the rubrics out at the beginning of the semester in a packet. It is the student's responsibility to keep these rubrics and refer to them as he is introducing the assignment and while they are working on it. If they ever misplace these things, they can be found on the school website and printed out for free at school. Although many students forget about this, Mr. R doesn't remind them of it, he expects it. He doesn't seem to have too many problems, although he said he has had a few in the past.

While letting me know about assessment, he let me know that curriculum mapping is required, but that he is behind in his maps due to lack of staff in the art department. Although it seemed like he held a little resentment, he was letting me know about all of the ways in which the art department works. He noted how the curriculum maps are constantly revised and renewed, and sometimes changed altogether. This year, the school switched from a block schedule to a seven hour day schedule, which really threw him off balance. It has been a test for him, but he seems to be going with the schedule as easily as possible and being as flexible with it as possible. He, just like the students, are still getting used to it!

I was most concerned with the rubrics and what he notes as "Advanced", "Proficient", "Basic", or "Minimal". These four categories have descriptions that give the requirements in order to gain those point ranges. All of his projects are worth 25 points.

Advanced = 25 - 23 points
Proficient = 22- 20 points
Basic = 19 - 18 points
Minimal = 17 - 15 points

He tries to match his instruction to his rubrics each time he introduces a project, and if he forgets to cover something, he either expects questions, or he will interrupt the class while they are working to remind them of this requirement.