Art & Music Five Year Plan Program Review, Research & Recommendations Chris McCullough, Supervisor Fine & Applied Arts June, 2012
RPS Arts Mission Statement We regard the arts as basic to the education of every individual. Art and Music, like the other disciplines, are composed of a vast body of knowledge, skills, techniques, and ideas, which can be taught and learned. These skills equip the learner with an additional method of expression, communication, and understanding, which would be available to our students in no other way.
Arts Curriculum & Program Review Plan Year 1: 2011-2012: Program Review, Research & Recommendations. Teachers and the department supervisor have been working to clarify our K-12 articulation, reviewing current materials, identifying best practices, and researching how other districts structure their arts programs. Year 2: 2012-2013: Curriculum Writing & Reaffirmation. A committee of teachers and the department supervisor will write or revise curricula, and recommend professional development and instructional materials to support implementation. Year 3: 2013-2014: Implementation of New, Revised, or Reaffirmed Curricula. Employ professional development as needed. Year 4 & 5: 2014-2016: Monitoring Implementation continues. Achievement and feedback are monitored. Modifications are made if needed.
What We Did Reviewed what we are currently doing across the district in the arts. Developed district benchmarks with particular attention to transitional grades (5th and 8th grade). Compared what we are doing to 2009 NJCCC Standards. Collected feedback from teachers during department meetings, student feedback, and continue to meet with various parent organizations. Reviewed arts programs in other high performing districts. Recommending curricular revisions or reaffirmations.
Arts in the Elementary Schools Art and Music education begin in kindergarten. Each grade level covers cyclical elements with increasing depth, understanding, and execution. All 4th grade students learn how to play the recorder. All 5th grade students have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.
K-5 Next Steps Identify yearly student goals and benchmarks. Establish 5th grade benchmarks to ensure a smooth transition to 6th grade. Revise curriculum to reflect goals, benchmarks, and standards. (July, 2012)
Arts in the Middle Schools Art and Music are required for all 6th & 7th grade students. 8th grade students choose from a variety of art and music electives. Music: Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. Art: 2-D, 3-D, Public Art, Apprentice to Master, Digital Imaging
6-8 next steps Identify yearly student goals and benchmarks. Establish 8th grade benchmarks to ensure a smooth transition to 9th grade. Revise curriculum to reflect goals, benchmarks, and standards. (July, 2012)
Arts in the High School Significant specialization of art courses with a choice of 34 different classes. AP courses: Studio Art, Art History and Music Theory. Extensive music program and co-curricular performance opportunities. Music Theory, Music Rewind, Introduction to 21st Century Music Production, and Art History focus on appreciation and analysis.
Student Feedback Consider re-naming certain course titles to better reflect course content. (2013-2014) Clarify sequences of coursework (completed) Continue practice of allowing students extra studio time. Continue to vary ways to highlight student s work at Celebration of the Arts. Continue to host middle school students at Celebration of the Arts.
9-12 next steps Identify and refine yearly goals and benchmarks within sequential courses. Implement two new music courses (2012-2013): Music Rewind and Introduction to 21st Century Music Production. Revise curriculum to reflect goals, benchmarks, and standards. (July, 2012)