Perpich Arts Integration Project
This new initiative aims to increase student achievement in and through the arts in nine west-central Minnesota schools. With the ultimate goal of positively impacting the learning of more than 1,500 students this year in the Lakes Country region, 40 teachers in the arts and in other content areas are engaged in professional development, curriculum development, and assessment literacy, leading to the development and implementation of arts-integrated lessons and units tied to the Minnesota Academic Standards.
Professional Development for Student Achievement
Summer Workshops: In August 2010, teachers attended two professional development workshops in New York Mills and Wadena to work collaboratively on creating interdisciplinary curriculum.
Regional Teacher Network: These meetings are designed for teachers to share progress on and strategies for their arts-integrated lessons. Teachers are also supported by facilitators and staff, both remotely and in person.
Evaluation and Dissemination
The results and knowledge generated by the work of these teachers will be shared in several ways:
- The arts-integrated curricula developed by these teachers will be accessible through the Web.
- Videos and a publication of the projects at schools will be created for use in professional development.
- An external evaluator is gathering data and will report on this project’s findings in the winter of 2011/2012.
- Improve student achievement across content areas in and through the arts
- Improve the quality and scope of arts integration and education (including community resources)
- Implement a collaborative approach to arts-integrated teaching and learning
- Provide sustainable professional development for best practice in arts integration for teachers
- Apply technology to support professional development and dissemination of project results for the benefit of Minnesota students and teachers
- Improve student achievement across content areas in and through the arts
- Improve the quality and scope of arts integration and education (including community resources)
- Implement a collaborative approach to arts-integrated teaching and learning
- Provide sustainable professional development for best practice in arts integration for teachers
- Apply technology to support professional development and dissemination of project results for the benefit of Minnesota students and teachers