Test Information Guide
Overview and Test Objectives
Field 17: Visual Art
Test Overview
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) and online proctored test; 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 open-response items |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions |
|
| Time | 4 hours (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial) |
| Passing Score | 240 |
The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject matter contained in the test objectives for each field. The MTEL are aligned with the Massachusetts educator licensure regulations and, as applicable, with the standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.
The test objectives specify the content to be covered on the test and are organized by major content subareas. The chart below shows the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each of the subareas.
The test assesses a candidate's proficiency and depth of understanding of the subject at the level required for a baccalaureate major according to Massachusetts standards. Candidates are typically nearing completion of or have completed their undergraduate work when they take the test.
Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.
Test Objectives
| Subareas | Range of Objectives | Approximate Test Weighting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple-Choice | |||
| I | Creating Works of Visual Art | 01–04 | 30% |
| II | Visual Art in Context | 05–06 | 20% |
| III | Interpretation, Analysis, and Evaluation of Art | 07–09 | 20% |
| IV | Visual Art and Other Disciplines | 10–11 | 10% |
| 80% | |||
| Open-Response* | |||
| V | Integration of Knowledge and Understanding | 12 | 20% |
*The open-response items may relate to topics covered in any of the subareas.
Subarea I–Creating Works of Visual Art
Objective 0001: Understand the elements of art and principles of design and their use in works of art.
For example:
- Recognize elements of art (e.g., line, color, shape, form, texture, space, value).
- Recognize principles of design (e.g., unity, variety, harmony, balance, rhythm, emphasis).
- Analyze how elements of art and principles of design are used in compositions to achieve effects and communicate ideas.
Objective 0002: Understand tools, materials, techniques, methods, processes, and technologies employed in visual art and design.
For example:
- Identify uses and advantages associated with tools, materials, techniques, methods, processes, and technologies employed in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, crafts, photography, film, video, electronic technologies, and design.
- Demonstrate knowledge of procedures for selecting and using tools, materials, techniques, methods, and processes to achieve effects and communicate ideas in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, crafts, photography, film, video, electronic technologies, and design.
- Demonstrate knowledge of procedures for maintaining and safely using tools, materials, and equipment employed in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, crafts, photography, film, video, electronic technologies, and design.
Objective 0003: Understand the thinking strategies employed in creating works of art.
For example:
- Recognize art as a creative process based on ideas, images, emotions, observation, interpretation, communication, and abstraction.
- Identify methods for developing creativity (e.g., sketching, brainstorming, researching, collaborating, writing).
Objective 0004: Understand artistic development in children and adolescents.
For example:
- Recognize theories of artistic development in children and adolescents.
- Identify typical phases, processes, and characteristics of artistic development from childhood through adolescence.
- Understand the skills (e.g., fine-motor skills, eye-hand coordination, cognitive ability) necessary to create various types of visual art.
- Recognize how students' art reflects their development, history, culture, and experiences.
- Recognize how arts education contributes to development in various areas (e.g., analytic abilities, perceptual awareness, critical thinking, creative problem solving and decision making, aesthetic sensitivity, appreciation of human diversity).
Subarea II–Visual Art in Context
Objective 0005: Understand the connections among art, history, and culture.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the role of the visual arts, artists, and arts organizations in reflecting, recording, and shaping history and culture.
- Analyze the treatment of themes expressed in art from different cultures and historical periods.
- Recognize ways in which artistic traditions from various cultures have influenced one another throughout history.
- Demonstrate knowledge of social, political, economic, and technological factors influencing art.
Objective 0006: Understand artworks from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America from ancient times through the present.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of major developments, artists, periods, and characteristics of works of art and design from ancient times through the present.
- Recognize subjects, themes, and symbols represented in works of art and design from ancient times through the present.
- Analyze ways in which works of art and design from ancient times through the present reflect cultural factors and aesthetic values.
Subarea III–Interpretation, Analysis, and Evaluation of Art
Objective 0007: Understand visual art as a form of communication.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways in which art serves as a medium for individual expression or communication of ideas.
- Analyze relationships between an artist and the development of a given artwork or series of artworks.
- Interpret subjects, themes, symbols, and meanings of artworks.
Objective 0008: Understand major functions, purposes, theories, and philosophies of art.
For example:
- Analyze the various functions and purposes of visual art and design.
- Recognize the roles of visual art and design in everyday life.
Objective 0009: Understand the basic principles of art criticism: description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of works of visual art.
For example:
- Critique works of visual art and design to construct inferences (e.g., about the culture of origin, the artist, and/or the artist's purpose).
- Apply knowledge of the basic principles and theories of art criticism.
- Demonstrate knowledge of concepts of style and stylistic change.
- Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic theories (e.g., formalism, expressionism, mimetics, functionalism).
Subarea IV–Visual Art and Other Disciplines
Objective 0010: Understand relationships between the visual arts and other art forms.
For example:
- Recognize similarities among art disciplines (e.g., dance, music, theater).
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways in which art forms may be combined to express ideas or themes.
- Analyze how developments in the arts have paralleled and influenced one another throughout history.
Objective 0011: Understand relationships between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways in which the visual arts are related to content and concepts in other disciplines.
- Analyze how developments in the visual arts and other disciplines have influenced each other.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ways in which study of visual art augments understandings in other disciplines.
Subarea V–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding
Objective 0012: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: creating works of visual art; visual art in context; interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of art; visual art and other disciplines.
(Refer to objectives 0001 through 0011 and associated descriptive statements.)