[Wyewood] Forward - New Kingdom Arts & Sciences Judging Forms

[Avine de Hert]

Forward from the Kingdom of An Tir – SCA FaceBook group

“Populace of An Tir:
We have new Kingdom Arts & Sciences Judging Forms!!
https://arts.antir.org/forms/judging-forms/ 
These forms are intended for our Kingdom level Arts & Sciences competition
and we will be using these at Kingdom Arts & Sciences 2025.  The forms are
also available to all who wish to use them for local area competitions.  As
these are new forms, we expect many questions - please send those to me at
artsnsci @ antir.org or join our 2025 KAS Championship Support group for
more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2507239706017607/ 
---
Background and Reasons for the Update:
Last fall (2023), a team of Laurels including Dagrun Stjarna, Cristiana de
Huntington, Aline Swynbroke, Eleanor De Bolton, Juahara Al Azin, Julia
Sempronia, Laurellen de Brandevin, and myself (with the support of many more
in area-specific feedback and formatting) came together to improve upon our
existing rubrics based on both solicited and unsolicited feedback we've
received.  After creating initial drafts, the rubrics were given three
review passes with the wider Laurel community to further edit and finalize
the documents.  Below are items we've attempted to tackle as far as areas of
improvement:
1.) Improve the overall equity of the forms:
Previously some rubrics were very specific and some were very general. The
language in some of the forms was being interpreted in different ways and
this was confusing/difficult to both the entrants and the judges.
Additionally, there was a large amount of possible points available in
"above and beyond" categories that weren't possible to achieve without
having financial means (in our team's opinion). We also included oral
tradition in the list of available sources (and outlined what sources could
be in a clear fashion for both entrants and judges). We also added a
glossary to support individuals unfamiliar with certain research terms
and/or terms they may have questions about (as they relate to the
rubric/judging forms).
2.) Decrease judging time (somewhat process related):
We divorced the numerical judging and written feedback forms - this is
because it is our intent to make both able to be electronically inputted by
judges (judges will scan a QRC at the judging table and enter their scores
and write their feedback - we will encourage them to use their phones or
bring their computers/tablets and will have spares). This will be a HYBRID
approach, as we will also have a person there to type any written forms if
judges don't want to input them electronically. it is our aim to reduce
paper and speed up the judging process. While physical forms will be
available to review, we thought that typing would be easier for many. We
would encourage judges to use their personal phones, tablets, or computers
for this activity predominantly.
3.) Synthesis/Original Entries (not reproductions):
We have specifically outlined that all rubrics can include both reproduction
and synthesis type entries (except for the Research rubric which is for
research papers). These entries are based in historical process/technique
but are the creation/performance of original works that would be at home in
a historical setting.  We have also added this information to the Rubric
Glossary. We received a significant amount of feedback regarding this, so
please know that we heard you and endeavored to make the rubrics very open
to these types of entries!
4.) Overall use of clearer, more concise language that wouldn't be prone to
incorrect interpretation by judges or entrants, also eliminating similar and
duplicative questions.
5.) Bring the KAS Bardic forms amore in line with the other KAS rubric
forms. We have consolidated the existing Bardic forms into the new
"Performance" and "Written Composition."  Both rubrics can be reproduction
or synthesis-type entries.
- Performance now encompasses: performance works such as vocal and
instrumental, plays, poetry, visual arts etc. 
- Written Composition now encompasses: written works such as poetry, essays,
manuals, musical scores and other written documents
6.) Open up what documentation could look like (alternatives to writing
papers, such as PowerPoints, tabularly presented information with provided
sources, etc.). Documentation will still need to be provided to the judges
in advance of the competition and should contain the information outlined in
the rubrics/judging forms.
7.) Taking scoring off the 100 point scale (we have received feedback that
it can feel like a bad grade even if the score is above average).
8.) Removing bonus points entirely:
This was done for equity reasons as bonus points can be very arbitrarily
given - instead, we added a kingdom recommendation form for judges to
complete (you can read about the process for how judges use these in the
Rubric Glossary).
9.) Expanding the definition of primary sources for our organization:
We modified this definition slightly away from the standard one so it now
includes photos of things, translations of the primary source etc. at the
aim of being more flexible to folks doing research papers (and helps those
individuals unable to access primary sources due to travel/cost) - see the
Rubric Glossary for more information.
10.) Limiting what can receive a score of 0.  A "0" will only be given if
the item asked for on the rubric question is completely absent (IE, they did
not bring a display to the competition).
11.) Process related: in the effort to be environmentally friendly, we've
made all the rubrics have a portrait style layout and 2 pages printed (front
and back for 4 pages total). This is in addition to attempting electronic
methods of submitting feedback to entrants.
12.) Process related: we are planning a flowchart for entrants to help them
select the right rubric (we will always offer support and advice in our
email and Facebook group outreach, but we hope this will make it even more
accessible). This is a challenge that many laurels had during our
discussions and entrants have previously had and noted in feedback. THIS
ITEM IS IN PROCESS.
13.) Process related: there was a request for the rubrics to be able to be
read by an e-reader for visually impaired persons. We are currently looking
into how to do this (we received some information and are attempting to
convert them) - we hope to have this available by next month.
14.) Process related: We will not send feedback to entrants until after the
KAS Championship event nor will we give a total score or announce one.
THIS IS A LARGE CHANGE, but our team agrees that it is a positive one as
we've had folks in the past be extremely upset when given a total score
instead of language surrounding that score. We will only announce scholars
of An Tir, Sable Bonnet and KAS Finalists at the event. Scholar of An Tir
will be awarded to any individual scoring an 80% or higher on their entry
(this is a score of "52" on the new rubrics as all rubrics have an equal
number of questions).
If a finalist is unsure of which project to select, they will be encouraged
to select/present the one they are most passionate about. Following the
event, judges scores/responses will be sent and be formatted with the rubric
question, their selected response (the score 0-5), the text associated with
the score and the full written feedback section. For this 2025 competition,
no total score will be provided (however entrants could independently total
their question scores and figure it out if they wish to do so) - this is
open to review/change if we receive negative feedback following the
competition.
---
I know this is a lot of information (thank you for making it to the end),
but we are happy to address all questions and comments (email is best and is
listed above - I also am okay with PMs, though I may be slow to reply).
YIS,
Þóra in fróða, OL
An Tir Kingdom Arts & Sciences Minister”
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In service, 
Avine




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