So, in a meeting this week my Superintendent asked us to come up with a commercially available assessment to measure the arts achievement in our district. I asked if he wanted a test to measure the student’s achievement in the arts, or the impact of their arts education on their “core” classes. Both, he said. So, I need a simple, standardized test to measure performance in: visual, media arts, theater, dance, music, orchestra/band (separate from general music) and Phys. Ed. (included with the arts for no particular reason.) As well as Spanish and Chinese (also included with the arts, but only in grades 6-8.) And the impact of those arts classes on our student’s learning in the core classes. But no mention was made of any control group. But - hey, the entire continuation of our arts-education mission depends on our ability to prove the “value-added” aspect of arts education - WITHOUT A CONTROL GROUP! Sorry, was I shouting? So, any takers? Anyone out there have a good, commercially available assessment, preferably one we can administer in 45 minutes or less, that will prove our arts education is effective within the arts as well as impacting student’s core education, without using a control group exposed to the same curriculum without the arts education? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Yeah, I thought so.
But heh, no child left behind, testing is the be-all, end-all of education. Go team.
