Episode 243: Rethinking Assessment in the Art Room with the Help of Students
Laura and Matt GrundlerLeslie Gates
What if assessment in the art room became a tool for empowerment rather than a source of anxiety? In this episode The Creativity Department speaks with Dr. Leslie Gates, Professor in Art Education at Millersville University. Listen in as they explore how student-led assessment can transform how both students and educators view success in the art room. Dr. Gates shares her research informed approach to shifting assessment away from traditional grading and toward meaningful reflection, dialogue, and ownership of learning. She explains how inviting students to define their own markers of success increases engagement, encourages creative risk-taking, and fosters a stronger sense of agency in the art room. Discover practical strategies for reframing assessment as a process centered on artistic intent and growth rather than technical mastery alone.
