I believe that every formal assessment should be explicitly clear on the criteria and expectations. I am a huge believer in rubrics and grading on a 4 point scale. I think the 4 point scale helps to prevent accidental bias when grading. I have asked myself  the question “What really makes 82% better than 81% ?” I plan on providing every student with a rubric that clearly states what I will be grading and the requirements to get a 0-4. I don't think it's up to anybody to decide what artwork is “better” than any other artwork because it changes vastly from person to person. I believe having specific requirements that the students are aware of makes the grading about accomplishing techniques and conveying meaning in their art and not about what art is my style. 

Along with practicing techniques and conveying meaning through art, I want students to learn how to reflect on their own art. I believe self-reflection is a lifelong skill. I am always reflecting on who I am and who I want to be as an educator. Reflection is a way for students to analyze their work, be proud of what they've accomplished, think about things they might have wanted to do differently and problem-solve about how they might do things again in the future.

     I remember my own struggles in school at times and think back on the teachers who understood and let me redo assignments and turn them in late with little to no grade penalty. I want to be those teachers that I had that understood how challenging it is to be a student especially when difficult things in life are happening. I want to allow students to make changes to projects, redo assignments, and if need be, get an extension on assignments. I want students' grades to reflect their accomplishments and how much they have grown in class. If a student turns in an amazing project that met all of the requirements two days late because they forgot to submit it, I do not believe a 0 at all reflects their accomplishments and the work they have created.