School district programs
We work with school districts to support arts education in all its forms.
Arts Ed 360°
We often begin our work with school districts by helping educators audit current offerings, budget, and program highlights in our Arts Ed 360° process (formerly known as school district self-assessment). Over the course of a school year, we work with arts teachers to collect data and offer both commendations and recommendations. Arts Ed 360° also includes facilitated onboarding to artlook® SWPA.
The first district participating in this updated process will be Norwin School District during the 2021–22 school year. We’ll be working with their music department to evaluate the program, share information, and prepare to update their curriculum.
Curriculum writing
Arts Ed Collaborative has helped numerous school districts update or rewrite arts curricula. We’re committed to a flexible, standards-based curriculum model and have helped districts throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania shape innovative dance, music, health and physical education, and visual art curricula that engage students and empower teachers.
During the 2021–22 school year, we’ll be working with Trinity Area School District and Norwin School District on art and music curricula, respectively. Arts Ed Collaborative uses the National Core Arts Standards as a springboard for helping districts create curriculum documents that are relevant and student-centered. We continue to think about ways we can adapt our processes to our region’s diverse school systems.
Student assessment planning
Student assessment reveals the transformative power of the arts. Developing tools that move beyond test-centric teaching gives teachers an array of ways to showcase the many learning experiences in their classroom.
During the 2021–22 school year, Arts Ed Collaborative will work with Hampton Township School District‘s arts teachers to craft assessment tools ranging from rubrics to observation protocols. Thinking deeply about student assessment opens pathways to even better student-centered arts experiences.
