WELCOME to the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Wiki!

Maine: A Grass-Roots Approach to Assessment in the Arts

"Creating an environment in Maine where quality assessment in arts education is an integral part of the work all arts educators do

to deepen student learning in the Arts"

Teacher Leaders & Leadership Team members, Maine Arts Assessment Initiative Institute, June 2013

Something unique is happening in Maine. Arts educators are leading the way to strategic transformation in Maine's schools, and they're doing it from the ground up. A standards-based/students-centered approach is the premise of the work.

In 2011 Phase I, eighteen teacher leaders in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts were identified and invited to a 4-day Arts Assessment Institute held at Maine College of Art (MECA) in Portland. They participated in professional development focusing on Assessment, Technology and Leadership. The Teacher Leaders created workshops for a statewide conference held in October of 2011 that was attended by over 230 arts educators from all over Maine. During the school year the Teacher Leaders offered workshops across the state, as they represented all Maine regions. A year-long series of seven webinars each attracted an average of 50 active participants. Lively discussions took place as part of these webinars, which are archived and accessible to the general public. Finally, graduate level courses were offered around the state of Maine in Visual Art and Music Assessment practices -- further expanding opportunities for arts educators to deepen their understanding of arts assessment.

In 2012 Phase II, twenty arts teachers were selected as Teacher Leaders to attend the 4-day summer institute at MECA, July 30 to August 2. They participated in professional development focusing on Assessment, Technology, Leadership, and Creativity. They created workshops that they facilitated throughout the state during the 2012-13 school year. You can learn more about the initiative below or go Maine Department of Education arts education pages at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/vpa/ or go to the Maine Arts Education blog at http://meartsed.wordpress.com/.

In 2013 Phase III, fourteen arts teachers were selected as Teacher Leaders to attend the 3-day summer institute at MECA, June 25, 26, and 27. They participated in professional development that focused on Standards and Proficiency to help prepare them for LD 1422 and the 2018 high school graduation. Two other topics were Outreach and Advocacy. They created workshops and providing workshops throughout the state. Their first workshops were presented at the Statewide conference at UMaine, Orono, Collins Center for the Arts. Arts Education: Leading the Way on October 24.

In 2014 Phase IV, the   New England Summit on Arts Education is being held at USM, Portland, July 29-31 and is open to all educators. Participants are invited to attend as an individual who is at the beginning or advanced part of the assessment journey or as part of a team from a school/district to device a plan to implement when returning to the school/district. Those wishing to participate as a Teacher Leader during the 2014-15 school year are required to apply, and if selected attend the August 1 professional development opportunity in addition to the 3-day Summit. Scholarships are available for Teaching Artists to attend. Early bird special and team discounts are available.

Maine is undergoing transformational change at the state level at the same time. A strategic plan Evolving Education: Maine's Plan for Putting Learners First was unveiled last year by the Commissioner of Education, Steve Bowen - which requires schools to be standards-based, and is predicated on the idea of Mass Customized Learning. Students truly will be at the center of 21st century learning. The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative will connect its work to this effort through building a Community of Practice where arts educators are sharing their open-ended resources and materials using electronic means. The arts are leading the way in Maine - through this unique model.

We invite you to explore this wiki that is filled with a plethora of MAAI INFORMATION and RESOURCES.

If you have questions please email Argy Nestor, the director of arts education at the Maine Arts Commission at argy.nestor@maine.gov. 

Julie Richard, Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission, on the Commission's commitment to Arts Education

It is critical that every child in Maine is ensured access to a quality, comprehensive arts education - and that arts educators are given all the tools necessary to achieve that goal.  We at the Maine Arts Commission are committed to strengthening arts education throughout the State through several means including the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative.  So often arts educators are left out of traditional professional development opportunities - and quite often, they are the only arts teacher in their school or in their district.  The Maine Arts Assessment Initiative provide arts educators the time and space to learn, share and advance arts education in this state.  It is a wonderful model for the rest of the country to follow in supporting and strengthening arts education everywhere.