Clarification details
Updated May 2015. This document has been updated to reflect issues arising from the implementation of the new standards. In particular, definitions of key words have been provided.
Definition of terms
The topic must be related to art history.
A conclusion may be defined both as an opinion or idea formed after a period of thought, and as the last part of a project in which the writer sums up their findings, demonstrating individual thought.
At achievement level, the plural conclusions specified in the standard may be interpreted as a conclusion which includes more than one point. At Merit and Excellence, the student evidence would be expected to outline the results of the project and make judgements about the overall topic.
Making assessment decisions
All judgements should be made on the basis of the criteria and the Explanatory Notes of this standard, which do not include research, planning, or the number or type of research sources used. Appropriate annotations and bibliographic procedures may be included in the task instructions. However, these may not be used as a basis for grade decisions.
Resource materials
Teachers may provide students with resources for the topic. However, these resources must leave students with the scope to demonstrate their own ability to select and process information.
Student responses
Formal presentations such as essays are not necessary, and acceptable descriptions or explanations of key points may be in the form of notes or annotated images. However, these must be at a level appropriate to Level 7 of the curriculum.
Grade level indicators
- An achievement level response will typically consist of the description of at least two key ideas about the selected topic, supported by references to more than one art work and more than one other source. Choosing a specific topic rather than a general topic will help students to draw conclusions, and will express the student’s overall understanding of the topic.
- A Merit level response will typically consist of an explanation of at least two key ideas about the selected topic, supported by information from more than one art work and more than one other source. Reasoned conclusions are conclusions that are supported and justified by clearly explained reasons based on the gathered information.
- An Excellent level response will evaluate several key ideas about the topic in order to draw conclusions. Insightful conclusions will be apparent in statements which demonstrate the student’s acute or very clear understanding of the selected topic.