V.E414

Observing and Responding to North American Art

Students will observe four North American artworks that reference American history and draw conclusions from them. In this assessment, the North American artworks selected reference U.S. history between 1850 and 1940.

Students’ conclusions may be based on their observations of the artworks and any prior knowledge they have of art or history. Their responses will be assessed using a Teacher Scoring Rubric focused on students’ ability to observe and describe content, support these observations with specific examples or evidence in the artwork, and use these skills to communicate their conclusions effectively.

This item has been voluntarily field-tested by Michigan teachers with a non-representative sample of students.


This is an analytic rubric. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

Teacher Scoring Rubric

  • Dimension
  • Content

  • Ideas Supported with Examples

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Student described some of the artworks in a limited or incomplete manner. Student was unable to determine time depicted or make any historical connections.

    N/A at this time.
  • Student described the artwork at an emerging level.
    Student determined approximate time depicted and/or made some historical references for two of the artworks from observed clues in the artwork.

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  • Student was accurate in describing each work of art, determined the approximate time depicted, and made some historical reference for three of the artworks from observed clues in the artwork.
    Student was able to make general comparisons of two of the works.

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  • Student was accurate and detailed in describing each artwork,
    determined the approximate time depicted, and made some historical references for each artwork from observed clues in the artwork.
    Student was able to make insightful comparisons of three or more of the works.

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