National arts assessment conference coming to L.A.
Published: September 1, 2008
California’s arts education advocates are urging school board members, administrators and teachers to participate in a national conference on arts assessment in Los Angeles Oct. 21–22.
Sponsored by the California Department of Education, California Arts Project and the Council of Chief State School Officers’ State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards, the National Conference in California on Arts Assessment will feature national experts on classroom practice, district and school management systems, high-stakes tests and the latest in arts assessment.
Arts assessments can take many forms, according to Nancy Carr, a CDE arts education consultant. Students are often evaluated based on portfolios of their paintings, drawings or computer-generated work. Aspiring dancers, playwrights or actors can demonstrate they have mastered specific skills by performing them. A fourth-grade teacher conducting a drawing lesson may ask students to show they can define lines, texture and shading.
In an era when state and federal policymakers are pushing high-stakes testing in reading and math, it’s important that schools find time to expose students to quality arts education—and that teachers learn about all the effective arts assessments that have been developed.
Other members of the education community can also benefit from the conference, according to California Arts Project Executive Director Kristine Alexander.
“When board members, administrators and teachers see firsthand how studying the arts complements and supports other core academic subjects, they can make better decisions about preserving these programs,” Alexander said. “They need to see that art is not just a Friday afternoon subject.”
Conference registration is $250 by Sept. 24, rising to $350 if room is available after that. The host Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City is offering special rates for conference-goers.
Related link:
Registration forms and additional information are available @ www.tcap.net.