Beginning in January 1999, the New Art Basics project instituted a strategy submission system that requires each new strategy to be connected to one content and one achievement standard from the National Visual Arts Standards. Strategies written and accepted prior to January 1999 are focused on the Scope and Sequence curriculum standards of the State of Iowa (VAIS).

The National Visual Arts Standards describe the abilities students must have to use an array of knowledge and skills in the visual arts. These abilities involve creation, history, production, culture, perception, analysis, criticism, aesthetics, technology, and appreciation. Comprehensive Competence (the ultimate goal of K-12 visual arts education) implies that students will not only develop capabilities with these elementary abilities individually but also understand the interdependence between them. By focusing each NAB strategy experiment one National Content Standard and one National Achievement Standard, New Art Basics provides teacher/researchers, from anywhere in the United States, with a solid and accountable learning target for assessment.

On the Strategy Submission section of the NAB database, after entering the title of a new proposed strategy and picking the specific NAB Thinking Skill or Concept to be taught, you will be asked to select one of the 6 National Visual Arts Content Standards as you learning focus. These standards are:

Depending on which Content Standard is selected, with a check box, the next screen will give you the appropriate selection of achievement standards for that Content Standard.

Achievement standards are for grades K-4, 5-8, 9-12 Proficient, and 9-12 Advanced, respectively. If the standard is repeated at successive grade levels, it is expected that students will demonstrate higher levels of skill, dealing with more complex examples, and responding to works of art in increasingly sophisticated ways.

Chose your National Standards carefully, for they are the foundation for sound learning.