General Expectations

Schools submitting visual arts courses in design areas are advised to become very familiar with several sections of this web site, including the specific VPA requirements, the Instructions for Updating Your School's "a-g" Course List and the Course Description Template and Instructions.

• Design course descriptions should indicate explicitly that VPA standards will be implemented at the proficiency level, at least, in each of the five component strand areas: Artistic Perception, Creative Expression, Historical and Cultural Context. Aesthetic Valuing, and Connection, Relationships, and Application.
• VPA courses in design areas must indicate that substantial time will be dedicated for students to learn, understand, and experience the elements of art and principles of design that underlie the medium/media addressed.
• Those submitting courses should keep in mind that course certification will be based on the course description document and the extent to which it articulates those aspects of the course specified by the "a-g" Requirements and the Course Description Template and Instructions.
• Those submitting courses should keep in mind that course descriptions posted on the "a-g" Guide web site are presented as illustrations, as resources. They are not simply to be replicated and then submitted by other schools.