Posts Tagged ‘Maine arts assessment initiative’
October 20, 2014
Teacher Leaders as leaders
Responding to the needs and voices of teachers in the field, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAA) has begun a series of steps to help all PK-12 Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art teachers develop their own quality work as Maine implements the new proficiency law, Maine Statute 4722-A-Proficiency Based Diploma Standards, that requires all students to display “proficiency” in all subject areas.
The first of these steps is designating past and current MAAI Teacher Leaders to serve as live “go-to” people for advice, talking through problems and ideas and providing support. Between the Leadership Team and Teacher Leaders, there are over three dozen people who have volunteered to be these live resources. Go to maineartsassessment.com, click on either of those two pages (Leadership Team and/or Teacher Leaders) under the dropdown, “About MAAI: who we are”. You will find contact information in red for those who are willing to work with you, as well as what grade levels and subject areas they teach, where they teach it, and a list of topics they have had experience with.
As the only grassroots arts assessment entity in the United States, it remains a goal of MAAI to be here in a practical way for teachers in the field, “removing us from the islands” for once and for all. Please take advantage of the work that has already gone on in recent years by respected colleagues throughout Maine, and contact them often as you progress through your proficiency work!
If you have questions or ideas for other needs that you have during the transition, please contact MAAI Leadership Team member Rob Westerberg at mllama4@maine.rr.com or Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov. MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission with many partners including MAEA, MMEA, New England Institute for Teacher Education, USM, MLTI, MDOE, and MAAE.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Resources, VPA | Tagged arts education, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, Maine arts education, proficiency, teachers as leaders, visual and performing arts | Leave a Comment »
October 14, 2014
Information on the standards-based /proficiency system and teacher effectiveness
In early October, 2014 the leadership team of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) had questions about major policy questions, and commissioned an informal poll on standards-based/proficiency systems and teacher evaluation. Nine questions were asked (7 listed below), five of them about the policies, two of them were about assessment literacy and leadership in assessment, and the final two asked about the kind of support MAAI could provide. As of October 10 there were 173 responses to the survey. Thank you to those who took the time to respond!
For approximately half the respondents work on the standards-based / proficiency system is still at the beginning stages, and a third of the respondents are just on their way. Just over half the arts educators are involved in professional development and professional learning communities to work on the system overall, compared with just under half who are doing similar work on standards-based / proficiency in the visual and performing arts.
Almost two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they were just beginning to work on the teacher evaluation system; only 12 out of 173 respondents claimed that they had a fully implemented teacher evaluation system. Over two-thirds of the respondents claimed that they had no involvement in the teacher evaluation system.
One of the key areas of need for the development of these policies is classroom assessment literacy. Less than one third of the arts educators felt confident about their assessment literacy to develop the standards-based / proficiency system. Furthermore, almost sixty percent of arts educators indicated that the leadership in their schools was not providing a clear stance on the standards-based / proficiency system.
What are the big take-aways? There is work to do on standards-based / proficiency, and even more to do on teacher evaluation. A key to success will be the overall assessment literacy of teachers and administrators, and MAAI is poised to provide professional development in the coming year.
A great big thank you to Leadership Team member and USM faculty Jeff Beaudry who contributed his expertise to creating the survey as well as providing the blog with the findings. Next week information will be provided on the last two questions! Please know that if you didn’t have a chance to contribute your information this time to this survey you will have another chance in the future.
- Where is your district with regard to the standards-based/proficiency system?
- Are you directly involved with a professional learning community on the development of your school/district’s standards-based/proficiency system?
- Are you directly involved with arts educators in a professional learning community on the development of your VPA standards-based/proficiency system?
- Where is your district with regard to the implementation of the Effective Educator (teacher evaluation) system?
- Are you directly involved with arts educators in a professional learning community on the development of your VPA teacher evaluation system?
- Do you believe that you have the knowledge about high quality classroom assessment and assessment literacy to develop a standards-based/proficiency system?
- Overall how would you characterize your school’s administrative leadership on assessment literacy in the arts?
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Food for thought, Leadership, VPA | Tagged Jeff Beaudry, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, proficiency based education, standards based, teacher effectiveness | 4 Comments »
October 13, 2014
What a day!
Friday was a great opportunity for the Teacher Leaders from the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) to present their workshops as a “dry run” to critical friends. Fifty-eight educators traveled from all parts of Maine to participate in the day. Eighteen workshops were presented in 6 different groups to the critical friends, held in the State House and the Cross Office Building. Teachers bring students on field trips to the State House but it is not often that a group of teachers attend an all-day event there. As compared to when the legislature is in session, it was fairly quiet but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the Capitol. The first session of the Maine Legislature was held in Maine’s State Capitol on January 4, 1832. As many of you know the dome is presently undergoing renovations and the new copper is gleaming and a site to behold with the changing of the leaves.
We gathered in the beautiful space used by the Council Chamber which I am certain never held that many educators. The Chamber is a segment of State Government of the leadership, a small group that is led by the President of the Senate rotating with the Speaker of the House, to make decisions that impact the entire body of the legislature. Each of the six groups participated in two morning workshops that were held where some of the Maine State Government does their daily business, the Burton Cross Office building. The groups gathered for lunch back in the State House and USMs faculty member and MAAI leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shared the findings of the survey that many of you participated in during the last week on Proficiency and Teacher Effectiveness. (I will post the info in another blog post).
Molly Ockett Middle School Visual Art teacher Samantha Davis presents her workshop to critical friends
Marshwood Middle School art teacher and Teacher Leader Amy Cousins participating in Teaching Artist Randy Fein’s workshop using clay.
Raymond Elementary School music teacher and veteran MAAI Teacher Leader Patti Gordan assists Ellsworth Elementary Middle School music teacher and new Teacher Leader Frances Kellogg with her workshop.
In the afternoon the groups participated in one more workshop and gathered for the wrap-up where the group facilitators provided an overview of what took place in their groups. Phase 4 music Teacher Leaders Kate Smith and Cynthia Keating lead us in song called “We Are One” and adapted for MAAI. It was a worthwhile day for all involved. The Teacher Leaders will tweak their workshops to ready them for the Mega-regional workshops being presented in five locations this year (listed below). Registration will be available soon if you are interested and able to attend please mark your calendars!
USM faculty and MAAI Leadership team member Jeff Beaudry shares the data recently collected from the survey all Maine arts educators were invited to participate in.
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the critical friends who participated in the day!
Mega-regional workshops 2014-15 school year
- Tuesday, November 25 Mount Desert Island High School
- Friday, March 6 Aroostook county
- Friday, March 13 Oxford Hills Middle School South Campus
- Thursday, April 2 UMaine, Orono
- Friday, April 3 University of Southern Maine, Portland
Critical Friends participate in movement workshop led by Teaching Artist John Morris in the rotunda in the State House while former Governor John Baldacci looks on.
MAAI Leadership Team member Catherine Ring provides an overview from her groups workshops.
Wrap up on Critical Friend Day at the State House.
New teacher leaders and music teachers Kate Smith, Central Elementary School and Cynthia Keating, Village Elementary School lead the group in song.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Food for thought, Leadership, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Technology, Visual Arts, VPA | Tagged Augusta, critical friends, leadership team, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, State House, teacher leaders | Leave a Comment »
October 9, 2014
MAAI converges on the State House Tomorrow!
Three years ago the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Teacher Leaders suggested that they have the opportunity to receive feedback on their workshops before they take them “on the road”. The MAAI prides itself in responding to the needs of the field. So, we created a day that we like to call Critical Friends Day, when the teacher leaders do a dry-run of their workshops before taking them on the road.
On Friday, tomorrow, 52 educators will travel to Augusta and the State House complex to do just that. All 52 will serve as Critical Friends providing feedback to each of the workshop presentations provided by the phase 4 and veteran Teacher Leaders.
It is sure to be nerve wracking, tense, fun, and very worthwhile. Those serving as Critical Friends come from all walks of education. Arts teachers, teaching artists, a retired teacher and Teacher of the Year, an ELA and Social Studies teacher, and an Assistant Principal. All bring something useful to the workshops and we are glad that they will attend!
You might be asking, “when will these workshops be offered to the rest of the education community?” Below is the list of the Mega-regional workshops. Watch this blog for the registration information that will be available in the near future. The regional workshops will also take place throughout the state so check in with the teacher leaders from your region to see when they will take place.
Mega-regional all-day workshop schedule
- Tuesday, November 25—Mount Desert Island High School Friday
- March 6—Aroostook County
- Friday, March 13—Oxford Hills Middle School, South Campus
- Thursday, April 2—UMaine, Orono
- Friday, April 3—University of Southern Maine, Portland
Break a leg
Good luck to the Teacher Leaders who go bravely forward sharing their expanded knowledge from being a MAAI Teacher Leader and most importantly THANKS for taking on the leadership role. Thanks to those who will be joining us as Critical Friends. For more information on the MAAI please go to our new and wonderful site at http://www.maineartsassessment.com.
Posted in Leadership, Opportunity, Professional Development, VPA | Tagged critical friends, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, teacher leaders | Leave a Comment »
October 7, 2014
Speak up, we’re listening
You have just 42 hours and 44 minutes from when this blog is posted (5:15 AM, Tuesday, October 7) to complete a survey created by the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Leadership Team that will take you about 5 minutes. You have until 12:59 PM, Wednesday, October 8.
I know what some of you are thinking…. I am tooooo busy to complete a survey…. My opinion doesn’t count…. I’d rather go outside and take photos of the leaves changing… Who has time for that?
MAAI has priorities and one of them is this: Listening and responding to the needs of the field to provide resources to assist you with your teaching responsibilities. We know that if you are well equipped that students benefit. We want them to be the big winners and we know if they are there is a darn good chance that you have what you need to be an excellent teacher. So put away those excuses and do what needs to be done now!
Time is running out.
Please take about 5 minutes and complete the survey located at http://esurvey.inspiredata.com and type in the code 672562 to complete the survey. If you have any questions please contact Argy Nestor argy.nestor@maine.gov. Thanks for participating!
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Standards Based Education | Tagged data collection, MAAI, Maine arts assessment initiative | Leave a Comment »
October 1, 2014
5-minute survey
The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) Leadership Team has put together a survey that will take you about 5 minutes. We are interested in knowing where you and your school district are on critical topics including standards-based and proficiency education. Please take the time to provide answers to the 8 questions. The information provided will be used to guide MAAI in responding to the needs of the field and in creating resources to assist Arts educators. The window of opportunity to complete this is one week – the survey closes on October 8 at 11:59 pm. The data collected will be shared on this Maine Arts Education blog in the near future.
Please go to http://esurvey.inspiredata.com and type in the code 672562 to complete the survey. If you have any questions please contact Argy Nestor argy.nestor@maine.gov. Thanks for participating!
Posted in Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Opportunity, Standards Based Education, VPA | Tagged MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, proficiency, standards based | Leave a Comment »
September 16, 2014
Resources
We’ve been receiving feedback during the last month on the NEW WEBSITE that brings together the plethora of resources that the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) has created and located during the first three phases of the initiative. It is especially timely since it has many components that can help guide and direct you as you work in your individual schools/districts on the high school graduation/proficiency requirement. If you have not had a chance to check it out, please do. Once you spend some time roaming around the site send me an email at argy.nestor@maine.gov or post a comment at the bottom of this blog post. If you find that something is missing or you are looking for something that is not provided, please let me know. The MAAI leadership team is interested in hearing from you. Thanks to Rob Westerberg for bringing all of these resources together and creating the new website.
MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission with several partners including: New England Institute for Teacher Education, University of Southern Maine, Maine College of Art, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, Maine Department of Education, Maine Learning Technology Initiative, and the Maine Alliance for Arts Education.
Posted in Communication, Food for thought, Opportunity, Resources, Standards Based Education | Tagged high school proficiency, MAAI, MAC, Maine, Maine arts assessment initiative | Leave a Comment »
August 30, 2014
Off and running
The Summit on Arts Education held at USM, July 29-August 1 officially marked the start of Phase 4 of the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI). The Teacher Leaders (new from phase IV and returning from the first three phases) are busy creating workshops to provide for educators across the state. MAAI has 38 active Teacher Leaders this school year. Locations are being determined and dates are being selected for the mega-regional workshops for the 2014-15 school year. Plans are underway. Stay tuned for the details of the next phase.
Just a reminder: every other year we have the statewide conference so that will NOT be taking place this October. Hopefully you can attend a regional and mega-regional (or perhaps more than one) workshop somewhere in Maine.
The MAAI is proud of the work that Teacher Leaders are doing, they are the HEART of MAAI. The names, disciplines, and schools of the Phase IV Teacher Leaders are included on the Who We Are page at the new MAAI website recently launched. If you have a question feel free to contact them. Each of them are wonderful resources. You might be considering taking a leadership role and joining as a Teacher Leader ,but aren’t quite sure. Please email me argy.nestor@maine.gov or any one of the MAAI Teacher Leaders or Leadership Team members. You can find their contact information on the Who We Are page as well.
If you haven’t had time to go to the Maine Arts Assessment website yet, please do. There is all kinds of information that can assist you in getting started with your school year. The MAAI is a program of the Maine Arts Commission.
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, VPA | Tagged MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative | Leave a Comment »
August 24, 2014
Course Opportunities for Art and Music Educators
As arts educators, we know how important a quality arts education is for every student. That is why we are constantly seeking to improve teaching and learning in our classrooms. And the arts have never been more relevant and essential than they are right now – in the 21st century. But where do we find quality, professional development in arts education?
The New England Institute for Teacher Education is proud to announce that it will be offering three courses in Visual Art and Music Assessment practices this fall to any Art or Music educators, K-12. The courses are all taught by leaders in art and music education who have played an integral role in the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative in the past three years.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to work with Rob Westerberg, who will be bringing the Music course to Hanover, New Hampshire (Vermont and New Hampshire music educators, take note!), Jake Sturtevant who is teaching Music Assessment in Standish, Maine, or Catherine Ring who is teaching Visual Art Assessment in Bangor, Maine. All of these courses meet on teacher-friendly schedules (two weekend sessions with 10-12 weeks in between) and are tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
If you want to be in on the most current thinking, research and best practices used in arts classrooms, this is a great way to get started and connect to a network of other professionals and a wealth of shared resources. Over 85 arts educators have taken advantage of arts assessment courses through the New England Institute and many have taken on leadership roles in their schools and districts as a result of their work. Three graduate credits will be awarded upon successful completion through the New England Institute’s academic partnership with Endicott College.
So please join us. We’re excited to share what we have with you and to learn from you!
Questions? Call the New England Institute at 207-367-5807 or email newenglandinstitute@gmail.com.
—Catherine, Rob and Jake
Posted in assessment, Communication, Community, Creativity, Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership, Music, Opportunity, Professional Development, Research, Resources, Standards, Visual Arts | Tagged art course, Catherine Ring, Jake Sturtevant, MAAI, Maine arts assessment initiative, music course, New England Institute for Teacher Education, Rob Westerberg | Leave a Comment »
August 20, 2014
MACs Commitment
The Maine Arts Commission (MAC) is committed to providing professional development opportunities for teaching artists and the creation of a Teaching Artist roster. Efforts to address these areas of need are underway and will grow over time. Professional development is being offered for the MAC’s Creative Aging program and for PK-12 learners in a variety of educational settings.
Some of the Maine Arts Ed blog readers might be wondering what a Teaching Artist actually is?!
Teaching Artists are professional artists who are dedicated to lifelong learning and arts education, have made it an integral part of their professional practice, and who have cultivated skills as educators in concert with their skills as artists.
Dancer/Teaching Artist John Morris and Easton K-12 Music Educator Pam Kinsey
Teaching Artists were invited to participate in the Summit on Arts Education at USM, Portland, July 29-August 1. Five Teaching Artists participated, not only did it benefit them but it was wonderful for the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative community of PK-12 arts educators who attended as well. We welcome TA since they really get to the heart of the “art”! The new Maine Arts Assessment webpage located at http://www.maineartsassessment.com has a page dedicated to these teaching artists at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/#!teaching-artists/c8po.
- Randy Fein
- Stephanie McGary
- John Morris
- Shirleyanne Ratajczak
- Vanessa Romanoff
Veteran Teaching Artist Nancy Salmon, who some of you might remember from the MAC Partners in Arts and Learning program, is working closely with MAC to support the Teaching Artists. Nancy presented a workshop at the Summit called What is the Role of the Teaching Artist? Participants left with a better understanding of the role and of course learned through engaging their minds and bodies. The Teaching Artists will join the MAAI Teacher Leaders in October and share their follow-on projects from the Summit.
The Teaching Artist roster is being re-established and later on this week the application will be available to apply to be a member of the roster.
The Creative Aging program is overseen by MAC staff member Kathleen Mundell. Two Teaching Artist workshops have taken place and applications were accepted for the roster this past month. To learn more about the Creative Aging program please click here.
If you have any questions about either program, Creative Aging or PK-12 Teaching Artists, please contact us. Kathleen Mundell or Argy Nestor.
Posted in Community, Food for thought, Opportunity, VPA | Tagged creative aging, MAAI, MAC, Maine arts assessment initiative, teaching artist roster, teaching artists | Leave a Comment »
Responding to the needs and voices of teachers in the field, the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAA) has begun a series of steps to help all PK-12 Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art teachers develop their own quality work as Maine implements the new proficiency law, Maine Statute 4722-A-Proficiency Based Diploma Standards, that requires all students to display “proficiency” in all subject areas.
As the only grassroots arts assessment entity in the United States, it remains a goal of MAAI to be here in a practical way for teachers in the field, “removing us from the islands” for once and for all. Please take advantage of the work that has already gone on in recent years by respected colleagues throughout Maine, and contact them often as you progress through your proficiency work!
