Art, Academics, ACS!
Of Standardized Testing and the Arts
It’s like salt and pepper, Watson and Crick, John and Yoko. Sometimes you get the best results from opposites, or elements that seem opposite but are, in fact, complementary. At ACS we have a program called Arts Choices which operates on the same days that students are taking the Colorado State Assessments in math, reading, writing and science. “CSAP” testing is highly academic, by any standard. The State of Colorado requires that students in the third through tenth grade take between nine and twelve, one-hour exams to assess their academic proficiency levels. These exams are intense and our students take them very seriously. If you walk into the Aspen Community School during testing time, you can see the mental wheels turning, and turning fast. Far from being a torture test, most students view these assessments as an opportunity to show their stuff. And they do. Twice in the past three years the ACS 6-8th grade has receive the John Irwin Award of Excellence. This is only given to schools with scores in the top 8% of all Colorado public school students.
But what about Arts Choices? This is a highly creative, artistic program where students in the 5-8th grade choose a area of artistic study and work with an expert teacher. We have a blue grass band, a rock group, advanced art, printmaking and advanced chorus. Students are expected to dig deep, learn new skills and push for excellence. Both advanced art and advanced chorus classes culminate in field trips to Denver. From 8:15-10:00AM twice a week every student is an artist.
What’s the connection? There have been many studies recently about the human brain and how we learn. Current research using brain imaging technologies tell us what common sense has known for a long time. People learn best when their minds are challenged to make connections. To learn is to “draw a line” between what is known and new information. The more relevant information is, the more it is imbedded with meaning and context, the more enduring that learning becomes. If we learn in isolation, we forget. When we learn in a rich context, we remember. Richness and variety stimulate the brain. Art and creativity, by their very nature, help students to see the complexity and interconnected nature of learning. Art is also fun. A short while back the staff at ACS attended a fascinating workshop, which summarized some of this exciting brain research. Click here for a brief look.
Bottom line: Arts and Academics are connected. Both are a part of every student’s day at the Aspen Community School.
