STEM and Arts-infused Learning is a U.S. Department of Education Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination grant for 2014-2018. The four-year project is a partnership of Puget Sound Educational Service District’s Arts Impact program, Seattle Public Schools, and local arts organizations. The project is integrating standards based dance, theater, and visual arts with STEM subjects. In addition, it is investigating the impact of Project Based Learning on student engagement and arts-infused teaching and learning.
Project Goals
- Increase teacher content knowledge and skills in the arts
- Integrate standards-based arts instruction with STEM subjects
- Expand the Arts Impact model to include professional learning on Project Based Learning and develop Project Based Learning Arts-infused STEM units
- Improve teacher effectiveness through the use of high-quality digital tools and materials
Project Design
SAIL uses a quasi-experimental design comparing teachers and classrooms that receive a technology-enhanced Arts Impact professional learning program with a group that does not. Initial differences between the two groups are controlled by random assignment where possible and by examining the characteristics of treatment and control schools for the percent of students eligible for free and reduced meals, student racial/ethnic diversity, staff qualifications, and staff access to technology. The evaluation design uses multiple measures and a mixed-methodology to provide formative and summative feedback for the project.
Quantitative measures include:
- Performance-based assessments (text version) of program lessons for teachers and students
- Teacher Arts Knowledge Test
- Student Arts Knowledge Test
- Autonomy Rubric for Teachers (A.R.T.) (text version)
- STAR Observation Protocol© assesses the presence of Powerful Teaching and Learning™ at the school level as evidenced by observation of students and teacher’s skills, knowledge, application, and relationships. For further information on the STAR Observation Protocol, go to www.bercgroup.com.
- Next Generation Science assessments
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium math assessments
Qualitative measures include:
- Teacher surveys assessing teacher dispositions to teach the arts
- Teacher interviews
- Artist Mentor interviews
Professional Development Components
SAIL is a 147-hour, three-year professional learning program. The following components will be provided annually over the course of three years:
- 30-hour Summer Institute steeped in hands-on learning
- 8.5-hour classroom Mentorship
- Study trip to local partner cultural organizations
- Two, in-person 3-hour Professional Learning Communities
- Minimum 3 hours additional technology-based learning opportunities
- On-line discussion forum to comment on lesson implementation with other SAIL teachers
Curriculum
- Arts Foundations
- Arts Infusion
- 2015-16 Teacher-written Lessons
- 2016-17 Teacher-written Lessons
- 2017-18 Teacher-written Lessons
Resources
- Technology-enhanced curricula: Arts Foundations, Arts Infusion, Project Based Learning units in 2018
- Cross-cultural artistic exemplars from local museums and performing arts venues embedded in the lessons
- Digital images of artworks from local museums
- Professional performances at partnering theaters and performing arts centers
- Teacher-written lesson plans
- Web-based lesson plan database
