This issue, one among many in "school reform," has me worried. You have to wonder whether teacher evaluation based upon test scores will only further marginalize arts education, as arts education assessment lies outside of the types of teacher evaluation being heavily promoted by so very many. For the record, this type of assessment is called value added … [Read more...] about Judging Teachers by Test Scores? Not quite.
music
What do Children Need the Most?
A number of years back I was fortunate to attend a two-day conference on Arts, Technology, and Intellectual Property at Columbia University's American Assembly. At the time I was working for the American Music Center, so the topic was something I had a vested interest in. As with most conferences, there was the introductory moment early on, where everyone in turn says a … [Read more...] about What do Children Need the Most?
A Moment of Clarity: Test Scores in New York State Are Recalibrated
Many of you have no doubt heard the great news over the past few years about rising ELA and math test scores in the New York City Public Schools. But wait, there was more: test scores were rising all across the state, no matter what the intervention.The New York State Department of Education has recalibrated the state test scores for ELA and math, and this moment of clarity … [Read more...] about A Moment of Clarity: Test Scores in New York State Are Recalibrated
The Joe McCarthy of Art Education
Apologies first, to all those who love Joe McCarthy. He still has a big following in certain political circles. First it was an attack earlier this year on Maxine Greene and now it's an editorial that appeared in the Wall Street Journal: The Political Assault on Art Education, both by Michelle Marder Kamhi. A brief excerpt: Ms. Desai is part of a growing movement of art … [Read more...] about The Joe McCarthy of Art Education
A Win for Arts Education Advocates in Los Angeles
Or better yet, a big win for the children in LAUSD. Thanks to a campaign spearheaded by Arts for LA, and perhaps best personified by this full page ad in the Los Angeles Times, the LAUSD school board decided to reduce the level of proposed cuts to elementary arts education teachers by one-third, rather than by half.Did they ruffles some feathers: of course, this from the LA … [Read more...] about A Win for Arts Education Advocates in Los Angeles