Center for Geography Assessment

Description of Student Performance
present a timeline with appropriate milestones for project completion
make appropriate maps
write an essay analyzing alternatives and rationales for a specific choice
present a table of statistics
prepare and give a formal live presentation

Work Plan/Timeline

1. select a significant problem, within an appropriate area of interest, in consultation with the teacher (most significant problems have an element of controversy, affect the lives of identifiable groups of people, and their solution is not obvious and involves compromise)
2. construct a schedule for completion of the following tasks
3. gather maps and information that describe the present and past situation and its history
4. interview available decision makers involved in this boundary setting process
5. conduct literature search for information describing solutions to similar redistricting (etc.) problems
6. create a preliminary annotated bibliography showing what information exists, how the information is relevant and how the information is to be accessed
7. consult maps of the area showing land use, traffic flows and barriers, population distribution and characteristics, etc.
8. produce a draft map and data tables
9. discuss alternative solutions with teacher and other experts
10. produce final map and data tables
11. produce paper summarizing problem and preferred alternative solutions

Making Appropriate Maps
map design

1. information is clear and complete (TODALSIGS)
2. message is neat and clear
   

   a. avoid unnecessary information
   b. minimize distortion information
   c. mappable data is portrayed accurately
   d. mappable data is portrayed at appropriate ranges and units
   

3. shading/fill pattern is clear and effective
   

   a. avoid distortion or optical illusion
   b. tone pattern reproduces well
   c. provide strong contrast between adjacent tones and patterns
   d. most important information is darkest
   

4. symbols represent data classifications appropriately
   

   a. pictorial symbols are closely related to idea presented
   b. symbols are simple and uncluttered
   c. symbols enlarge, reduce, and reproduce clearly

Essay
produce a paper that summarizes the history and nature of the problem and analyzes the issues involved in its solution
final product should be of high quality

1. describe the history of the problem; place the problem in the context of regional and global forces (e.g., changes in the economy or migration patterns); if your problem is of a political nature, be sure to describe the major political "players" and attitudes and values playing a role in the situation
2. identify the present situation
3. describe alternative solutions
4. describe the forces that might prevent your solution from being implemented
5. describe the preferences, biases, or assumptions which would affect the perceived value of different alternatives

Table

1. summary of data is in appropriate form
2. analysis of data provides useful information
3. categories relate to the problem at hand
4. gaps in information are clearly acknowledged
5. raw and processed data are used appropriately

Final Presentation

1. description of problem is sufficiently detailed for a reader/audience that is unfamiliar with the problem and its history
2. description places the problem in geographic and historic context
3. analysis of the problem and presentation of proposed solution is supported by evidence from the research
4. text and/or visual images are integrated to create a coherent message
5. presentation uses text and images effectively to convey information effectively and present a convincing message
6. presentation meets the needs of the target audience