This document outlines Westchester Community College's process for assessing and improving its Visual Arts program. It begins by identifying the program's learning goals and outcomes. It then discusses how the curriculum and courses are designed to meet these goals by preparing students with portfolio requirements for transfer. The document describes assessing student learning through portfolio reviews and using the results to reflect on successes, challenges, and ways to strengthen the program, such as improving advisement and establishing skill benchmarks. Finally, it addresses upcoming changes like new degree requirements that will impact the assessment process.

1. Westchester Community College
Visual Arts Program

2. What is Assessment?
 Assessment involves
the use of empirical
data on student
learning to refine
programs and improve
student
learning. (Assessing
Academic Programs in
Higher Education by
Allen 2004)

4. Step 1Identify
Learning
Goals
1. To provide students with the foundation level
knowledge and skills necessary to pursue an
avocation or career in the visual arts
2. To prepare students for successful transfer to
a four-year BFA or Liberal Arts program

5. Step 1Identify
Learning
Outcomes
1. Demonstrate skill in the use of drawing media and ability to
translate observation to image
2. Apply basic elements and principles of design, with an emphasis
on two-and three-dimensional design
3. Apply color theory in the creation of successful color
compositions
4. Create self-directed/concept-driven works that communicate
meaning/personal voice
5. Use digital tools to create, manipulate, edit, and archive art work
6. Speak and write critically about personal and peer artworks
using art vocabulary
7. Demonstrate knowledge of art historical and contemporary
periods, movements, and styles, and familiarity with art historical
terminology
8. Assemble a portfolio of work suitable for academic transfer in
digital and hard copy formats

6. Step 1Identify
Learning
Outcomes
Work backwards from
standard portfolio
requirements

7. Step 1Drawing
Demonstrate skill in
the use of drawing
media and ability to
translate observation
to image
“Accomplished
drawings are above
all else, the heart of
a successful
portfolio . . . . You
might be a wizard in
digital media, but
none of that will
matter if you have
poor drawings.”
Clara Lieu, RISD

8. Step 1Drawing
At least half of the
portfolio should consist
of drawing from direct
observation
“Do not copy your
work from
photographs or other
sources”
Clara Lieu, RISD
“Design projects and
computer-generated
images are not
recommended for
inclusion in Computer
Art portfolios . . .
School of Visual Arts

9. Step 1Design
Apply basic elements
and principles of
design, with an
emphasis on two-and
three-dimensional
design

10. Step 1Color
Apply color theory in
the creation of
successful color
compositions
“The work should demonstrate your abilities in the
areas of drawing, composition, color and design.”
Delaware College of Art and Design

11. Step 1Voice
Create self-
directed/concept-
driven works that
communicate
meaning/personal
voice

12. Step 1Voice
Works that go beyond
assignment
parameters

13. Step 1Voice
Work that is
finished/fully resolved

14. Step 1Digital
Use digital tools to
create, manipulate,
edit, and archive art
work

15. Step 1Variety
•Subject matter, media,
scale
“[Show] that you
have more than
one skill set, and
can move fluidly
from one media into
the next. Include
drawings, paintings,
sculptures, mixed
media, digital
media, printmaking,
or anything else
that you’ve had
experience with.”
Clara Lieu, RISD

16. Step 1Articulate
Speak and write
critically about
personal and peer
artworks using art
vocabulary

17. Step 1Art
History
Demonstrate
knowledge of art
historical and
contemporary periods,
movements, and
styles, and familiarity
with art historical
terminology

18. Step 1Portfolio
Assemble a portfolio of
work suitable for
academic transfer in
digital and hard copy
formats

19. Step 1Learning
Opportuni
ties
Next step: create a
curriculum designed to
meet learning goals
and outcomes

20. Step 1Learning
Opportuni
ties
Curriculum sequences
work backward from 3rd
semester VA Seminar

21. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Now we must evaluate
our success

22. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Assessment isn’t about
evaluating teachers

23. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Its about measuring
student learning

24. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
It’s also about bringing
faculty together to
establish common
standards and goals

25. Sample Portfolios
http://wccvaprogramreview.wordpress.com/visual-art-seminar-outcomes/sample-student-portfol

26. Step 1Reflect
What did we learn?

27. Step 1Improve
Teaching
and
Learning
How can we improve?

28. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Incomplete portfolios

29. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Incomplete portfolios  Mandatory course
portfolio
 Emphasis on portfolio
pieces embedded in all
classes

30. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Transfer students

31. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Transfer students  Make transfer
contingent on portfolio
review
 Include only WCC work
in assessment portfolio

32. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Following curriculum in
reverse

33. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Following curriculum in
reverse
 Improve academic
advisement
 Enlist the help of
adjuncts

34. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Academically under-
prepared students

35. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Academically under-
prepared students
 Freshman Seminar
 Establish benchmarks

36. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Personal Voice/Mastery
of skills

37. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Personal Voice/Mastery
of skills
 Establish level 2
proficiencies
 Create an advanced
projects course

38. Step 1
Changes
New college core that
aligns with SUNY

39. Step 1
Changes
New A.S. degree will
have 60 credits
Fewer elective choices
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree
1st Semester (16 cr) 2nd Semester (15 cr)
Writing + Research Writing + Literature
Art History 1 Art History 2
Drawing 1 Drawing 2
2D Design 3D Design
Digital Fundamentals Visual Arts Elective
Freshman Seminar
3rd Semester (15 cr) 4th Semester (13 cr)
Math Science + Lab
Beh/Soc Science History
Art History 3, Language,
or Other World Culture
Visual Arts Elective
Visual Arts Elective Visual Arts Elective
Visual Arts Junior
Seminar
Mandatory Portfolio
Review

40. Step 1
Changes
SUNY Seamless
transfer means that 4
year schools will be
setting the agenda
 SUNY Seamless Transfer

41. Step 1
Changes
Possible increase in
contact hours
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree

42. Step 1
Changes
Possible classes for
majors and non-
majors
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree

43. Step 1
Changes
More faculty
development
workshops
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree

44. Step 1
Changes
More standardized
process of
assessment
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree