IEA Newsletter - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for January 31, 2007. The newsletter is published to the IEA listserv each Wednesday morning and is archived here.

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REPORTS
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THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP 2006 STUDY
Northwest Evaluation Association
"NWEA researchers have released a new study on the achievement gap. The achievement gap is the difference between the academic performance of students in poor versus wealthy schools and between minority and non-minority students. The study revealed that for every group at every grade, students from poor schools grew less than students from wealthy schools and minority students exhibited less growth than their non-minority peers."
Register and download the report here:
http://www.nwea.org/research/achievementgap.asp

STUDY: BROADEN EDUCATION
SCHOOLS NEGLECT HIGH ACHIEVERS, FORUM ARGUES
Todd Silberman, News & Observer (North Carolina), 1/17/07
"North Carolina's intense focus on boosting passing rates on math and reading tests has meant less emphasis on subjects such as science and foreign languages and has left high-achieving students with too little attention, a new report asserts. The study, issued Tuesday by the influential N.C. Public School Forum, urges state education leaders to make the state's schools more internationally competitive by rethinking a decade-old accountability system, do more to strengthen the skills of teachers and broaden students' knowledge about the world."
Read the article:
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/533115.html
Read the report:
http://www.ncforum.org/


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BLOG FOR ARTS ADMINSTRATORS
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BARRY’S BLOG
Western States Arts Federation
Barry announces changes to his blog, including roundtable discussions with members of the Hessianus group of arts leaders, one-on-one interviews with arts leaders, and blogging from arts administration conferences.
Read more or sign up to receive postings by email:
http://www.westaf.org/blog/

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EDUCATIONAL POLICY
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NCLB 2.0 PART I
Interview of Congressman George Miller by James Daly, Edutopia, 1/17/07
"Congressman George Miller (D-CA) took the helm of the Committee on Education and Labor, one of the most important positions on Capitol Hill. Miller, a long-term advocate for improvement in public education (and a member of The George Lucas Educational Foundation's advisory board) has a busy year ahead: The No Child Left Behind Act is up for reauthorization. Tech challenges face many districts. Some schools are physically crumbling. Dropout rates are unacceptable. A few days before Miller left for his leadership position in Washington, DC, Edutopia editor in chief James Daly sat down with him at his office in Walnut Creek, California."
Read the interview:
http://edutopia.org/php/interview.php?id=Art_1764


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ARTS ADVOCACY DAY
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ARTS ADVOCACY DAY: MARCH 12 - 13, 2007
Americans for the Arts
This year's events include a day of legislative training, guest speakers, the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy presented by Emmy Award-winning journalist Robert McNeil, receptions, the Congressional Arts Breakfast on Capitol Hill, and lobbying visits.
Learn more:
http://www.artsusa.org/events/2007/aad/default.asp


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ARTS AND SCIENCE
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MAKE BEAUTIFUL BRAIN MUSIC
Robert Andrews, Wired News, 1/22/07
"Move over, woodwind and strings -- in the future, the ultimate musical instrument could be the human brain. Artist Luciana Haill uses medical electroencephalogram, or EEG, monitors embedded in a Bluetooth-enabled sweatband to record the activity of her frontal lobes, then beams the data to a computer that plays it back as song. Now Haill is taking her gig on the road, joining 30 experimental artists this week to showcase creative and wacky new audio technologies on the Future of Sound tour of England. Audience members will be asked to don the electrodes so they can jointly think up a harmony."
Read more:
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,72528-0.html?tw=wn_index_17


AWARD FOR ART BASED ON SCIENCE
Scenta (UK), 1/12/07
"February will see the launch of the Arts Awards, a new funding scheme to encourage original arts projects inspired by biomedical science. The initiative is funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest medical research charity, which spends £500 million each year to support scientific research. By funding artistic projects the Trust hopes to increase public awareness of science and stimulate debate about biomedical issues."
Learn more:
http://www.scenta.co.uk/scenta/news.cfm?cit_id=1423942&FAArea1=widgets.content_view_1


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LIBRARIES AND TECHNOLOGY
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GATES FOUNDATION RENEWS LIBRARY VENTURE
Donna Gordon Blankinship, AP/Washington Post, 1/18/07
"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is renewing its effort to support free access to the Internet in U.S. libraries by providing new computers and high-speed connections to those that have struggled to keep up with technology. A new series of grants beginning with an $11.5 million investment last month will continue to put millions of dollars into libraries in 32 states, said Jill Nishi, program manager for the foundation's library initiative. The foundation bought new hardware for libraries in the other 18 states last year."
Read more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011800153.html


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GRANTS, FUNDING, AND AWARDS
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DROP EVERYTHING AND READ BOOKSHELF AWARDS
NEA Foundation and the National Education Association
“In celebration of National Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) Day, these awards are made possible in part with support from HarperCollinsChildren's Books as part of the NEA's commitment to promote children's literacy and motivate readers of all ages. This program awards $500 to public schools for the purchase of books and reading materials that will entice students to drop everything and read.” Deadline: March 12, 2007
Learn more:
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/DEAR%200607.htm

LEARNING IN THE ARTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
National Endowment for the Arts
To advance arts education for children and youth in school-based or community-based settings. This category supports in-depth, curriculum-based arts education experiences that occur over an extended period. Projects must provide participatory learning and engage students with skilled artists, teachers, and excellent art. All projects must include the following components: 1) the opportunity for students and their teachers to experience exemplary works of art, in live form wherever possible; 2) study of the art experienced including the acquisition of skills for practicing the art form where appropriate; 3) the performance/making of art within the discipline(s) studied; and 4) assessment of student learning according to national or state arts education standards. Deadline: June 11, 2007
Learn more:
http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/Artsed.html

MUSIC: ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
National Endowment for the Arts
"Access to Artistic Excellence encourages and supports artistic creativity, preserves our diverse cultural heritage, and makes the arts more widely available in communities throughout the country. While projects in this category may focus on just one of these areas, the Arts Endowment recognizes that many of the most effective projects encompass both artistic excellence and enhanced access. Support is available to organizations for projects that do one or more of the following:
* Provide opportunities for artists to create, refine, perform, and exhibit their work.
* Present artistic works of all cultures and periods.
* Preserve significant works of art and cultural traditions.
* Enable arts organizations and artists to expand and diversify their audiences.
* Provide opportunities for individuals to experience and participate in a wide range of art forms and activities.
* Enhance the effectiveness of arts organizations and artists.
* Employ the arts in strengthening communities.
The Arts Endowment is particularly interested in projects that extend the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability." Deadlines: March 12 & August 13, 2007, depending on the type of grant.
Learn more:
http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP08/MusicAAE.html

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IEA Newsletter - Jan. 24, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for January 24, 2007. The newsletter is published each Wednesday morning to the Institute's listserv and is archived here.

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REPORTS
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FROM ANECDOTE TO EVIDENCE:
ASSESSING THE STATUS AND CONDITION OF ARTS EDUCATION AT THE STATE LEVEL
Arts Education Partnership
"Without solid evidence about the status and condition of arts education in the nation's public schools, it is difficult to make a convincing case for the arts. This research and policy brief draws on the experiences of five states — Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington — as the basis for a discussion of various approaches and methodologies for conducting statewide arts education research."
Learn more: http://www.aep-arts.org/publications/info.htm?publication_id=24


“A NEW DAY FOR LEARNING” CALLS FOR COMPLETE REDESIGN OF LEARNING TIME FOR AMERICAN STUDENTS
Ednews.org/Edutopia 1/07
"The nation's steady progress as an economy and as a society will end 'unless we profoundly change our thinking and policies about when, where and how children learn and develop' contends A New Day for Learning, an urgent report from the Time, Learning, and Afterschool Task Force funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.Task Force members include researchers, foundation leaders, afterschool experts, education leaders, municipal officials, business, and school reform experts."
Read an article about the report:
http://www.ednews.org/articles/6613/1/A-NEW-DAY-FOR-LEARNING-CALLS-FOR-COMPLETE-REDESIGN-OF-LEARNING-TIME-FOR-AMERICAN-STUDENTS/Page1.html
Read the report: http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/ANewDayforLearning.pdf


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CURRENT EVENTS
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KENNEDY UNVEILS SUCCESS ACT
Principal's Policy Blog, 1/9/07
"As part of his platform to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) recently introduced the States Using Collaboration and Coordination to Enhance Standards for Students (SUCCESS) Act, which would update the National Assessment for Educational Progress to ensure that it sets a national benchmark that is 'internationally competitive' and 'aligned with the demands of the 21st century global economy.'
Read more: http://p8.hostingprod.com/@www.principalspolicyblog.org/blog/2007/01/kennedy_unveils_success_act.html


SUBCOMMITTEE LEADERS CHOSEN FOR HOUSE EDUCATION AND LABOR COMMITTEE
The following subcommittee chairs have been announced by full committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and ranking member Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA):
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education:
Chairman Dale Kildee (D-MI); Ranking Member Michael Castle (R-DE)
Subcommittee on Higher Education, Life Long Learning, and Competitiveness:
Chairman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX); Ranking Member Ric Keller (R-FL)
Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities:
Chairwoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY); Ranking Member Todd Russell Platts (R-PA)
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions:
Chairman Robert E. Andrews (D-NJ); Ranking Member John Kline (R-MN)\
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections:
Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA); Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Learn more about the new committee assignments: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/edlabor_dem/rel11807.html


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MATH EDUCATION: A LOOK AT PAST ARTICLES
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GEOMETRY IN THE REAL WORLD: STUDENTS AS ARCHITECTS
Sarah Armstrong, Edutopia, 2/02
"Every spring at Mountlake Terrace High School near Seattle, Washington, students in Eeva Reeder's geometry classes work feverishly to complete an architectural challenge: Design a 2,000-student high school to meet learning needs in 2050, fitting it on a given site. In a period of six weeks, students must develop a site plan, scale model, floor plans, perspective drawing, cost estimate, and written proposal. They must then make an oral presentation to local school architects who judge the projects and "award" the contract -- all making use of geometric and mathematical concepts."
Read more: http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_909


THE MAGIC OF MATH
Ken Ellis, Edutopia, 11/05
"Eager students, sharpened No. 2 pencils at the ready, anxiously await their math teacher's next challenge: 'OK, the problem is 133 take away 87. You have to do it at least three ways. Take three minutes of private think time.' The groans and giggles quickly fade to industrious silence as the students, teachers of every subject and grade level at Fullerton IV Elementary School, in Roseburg, Oregon, set to the task of thinking differently. Each teacher must find new and exciting ways -- beyond simply putting the number 87 and a minus sign under the number 133 -- to solve the routine math problem."
Read more: http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_1405



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EXHIBITIONS
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THE ART AND ARTIFICE OF SCIENCE
Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico
2/9/07 - 5/20/07
"Art and Artifice of Science will explore the intersection of art and science by examining the work of contemporary artists, from New Mexico and beyond, who use the language, look and technologies of science in their work. The exhibition will have two subthemes: (Un)natural Histories and Mapping Bodies."
Learn more: http://www.mfasantafe.org/display.php?menu=exhib_upcoming


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INTERNSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
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KENNEDY CENTER FELLOWSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
"The Kennedy Center strives to impart hands-on arts management experience to participants in the fellowship and internship programs. Through practical application of management skills, fellows and interns gain in-depth knowledge and expertise used by successful managers in today's complex world of performing arts." Deadlines vary.
Learn more: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/artsmanagement

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TEACHING AND LEARNING IDEAS
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THRESHOLD MAGAZINE: EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
Cable in the Classroom
"The Winter 2007 issue of Threshold: Exploring the Future of Education features articles focused on personalizing education and was produced in partnership with SETDA, the State Educational Technology Directors Association." Articles focus on technology and learning strategies, differentiation, professional development, and assessment.
Read more: http://www.ciconline.org/thresholdwinter07


AN INTERVIEW WITH DAN PINK: ABOUT A WHOLE NEW MIND
Tammy-Lynne Moore & Michael Shaughnessy, EdNews.org, 1/17/07
The January 3 IEA listserv featured a book review of Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind. Learn more about Pink in this interview. "Daniel Pink is the author of Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind, which discusses what he describes as the rise of the right brained individual. Daniel Pink has been a speech writer for former Vice President Al Gore, worked as an aide to U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich and is a frequent lecturer to business, industry and organizations across the U.S. In this interview, he discusses his latest book and offers insights as to future trends."
Read the interview: http://www.ednews.org/articles/6732/1/An-Interview-with-Dan-Pink-About-A-Whole-New-Mind/Page1.html


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FUNDING, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
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PICTURING AMERICA: TEACHING HISTORY THROUGH ART AND ARCHITECTURE
National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association
"Picturing America is a pilot project of the We the People program of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), conducted in cooperation with the ALA Public Programs Office. The goals of Picturing America are to promote the teaching, study and understanding of American art and history in K-12 schools, and to facilitate interdisciplinary partnerships between school library media specialists, art teachers, classroom instructors and other educators. Picturing America will provide 500 public and private schools with a collection of 20 double-sided, laminated posters (24” x 36”) depicting works of American art, related reading lists, and a 100-page resource booklet with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced. Educators, including school librarians, are invited to apply online from January 8 through March 19, 2007.
Learn more: http://publicprograms.ala.org/picturingamerica

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IEA Weekly Newsletter - January 17, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for January 17, 2007. The newsletter is published each Wednesday morning to the IEA listserv and is archived here on the IEA blog.


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EDUCATIONAL POLICY
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A MARSHALL PLAN FOR TEACHING:
WHAT IT WILL REALLY TAKE TO LEAVE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Linda Darling-Hammond, Education Week, 1/10/07
”Views about the No Child Left Behind Act are currently as divided as Berlin before the wall came down. But whatever one thinks about the 5-year-old federal law, it’s clear that developing more-skillful teaching is a sine qua non for attaining higher and more equitable achievement for students in the United States. Without teachers who have sophisticated skills for teaching challenging content to diverse learners, there is no way that children from all racial and ethnic, language, and socioeconomic backgrounds will reach the high academic standards envisioned by the law. For this reason, one of the most important aspects of the No Child Left Behind legislation is its demand for a “highly qualified” teacher for every child.”
Read more: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2007/01/10/18hammond.h26.html


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MUSIC EDUCATION
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BCM TO PROVIDE FREE MUSIC EDUCATION
Dave Nagel, T.H.E. Journal, 1/8/07
“Berklee College of Music (BCM) announced last week that it's entered into partnerships with community groups across the country to provide music education free of charge to young, ‘underserved’ students. The new initiative is a drastic expansion of BCM's City Music, a program serving Boston-area students. Pilot programs are set to launch in March in Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Apple and trade group NAMM will be technology partners in the pilot program.”
Read more: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/19933

MENC CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL IN 2007
National Association for Music in Education (MENC), 1/5/07
MENC celebrates its centennial in 2007 with a variety of special events, including a symposium, new “audio logo,” finale of the National Anthem Project, and a special 100-year retrospective publication.
Learn more: http://www.menc.org/centennial


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HAPPINESS AND LEARNING
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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDENT HAPPINESS ARE NEITHER RHETORICAL NOR FRIVOLOUS
Gary Stager, District Administration, January 2007
Susan Ohanian recently wrote an article for The Pulse: Education's Place for Debate ("What Schools Need Is a Happiness Index") in which she advanced the radical idea that schools should be happy places where children learn … One reader responded that American students are on a "happiness trip" and are coddled into believing that being "fat, lazy and happy" is just fine. There is just "too much happiness in our schools," he said. Is unhappiness a key to academic success? No credible learning or management theory suggests that fearful, unhappy or insecure people are more productive. Common sense and countless studies demonstrate that love is a better master than duty. For example, one popular yet wrong view of education suggests that school is a child's "job." This reduces learners to forced unpaid workers, as they do piecework in the name of higher standards, competitiveness and accountability. No learning theory suggests that fearful or insecure people are more productive.”
Read more: http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1054


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DEMOCRACY AND LEARNING
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NEW APPROACHES IN THE CLASSROOM PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
Academy for Educational Development, 1/11/07
“At first blush, the connection between the way children are taught and the way a country is governed may not be completely obvious, but AED experts believe that decentralizing education creates systems that cater to children’s specific needs, support individual teachers, and empower communities. ‘Education in many ways really is the key to democracy,’ said Alison Price-Rom, a senior program officer with AED’s Participation, Education, and Knowledge Strengthening, or PEAKS, project. ‘It is about more than just teaching facts and skills. It is teaching children to participate in society.’”
Read more: http://aed.org/News/NewApproaches.cfm


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TEACHING AND LEARNING IDEAS
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REDESIGNED FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE (FREE) WEBSITE
The U.S. Department of Education has redesigned its FREE website with a new organizational structure and search engine. The site features an RSS feed, improved navigation, subject-based searching in all major curriculum subjects, and new images.
Learn more at http://free.ed.gov


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FUNDING, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
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APPLY FOR A FREE COPY OF ‘AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH’
Participant Productions is giving away copies of the DVD An Inconvenient Truth (based on Al Gore's global warming presentations) to the first 50,000 educators who request it.
Apply by January 18, 2007.
Details: http://www.participate.net/educators/DVD/giveaway

ALA’S SARA JAFFARIAN SCHOOL LIBRARY PROGRAM AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN HUMANITIES PROGRAMS IN K-8 LIBRARIES
“The American Library Association Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award recognizes excellence in humanities programming in elementary and middle school libraries that serve children K-8. Maximum Award: $4,000. Eligibility: elementary or middle school (public or private) libraries; or any school library program in the United States that serves children in any combination of grades K-8. Deadline: February 28, 2007.”
Learn more: http://www.ala.org/ala/ppo/jaffarianaward.htm

NEW VOICES PROJECT
J-LAB: THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERACTIVE JOURNALISM
“J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism invites U.S. nonprofit groups and education organizations to apply for funding to launch new community news ventures and to cooperate with J-Lab in spotlighting best practices and lessons learned. Eligible to apply for funding under the New Voices project are 501(c)3 organizations and education institutions, including civic groups, community organizations, public broadcasters, schools, colleges and universities. Funding is available for start-up news initiatives only. Ongoing efforts are not eligible to apply unless they are proposing a new venture.”
Deadline: February 28, 2007
Learn more: http://www.j-newvoices.org/index.php/site/story/2007rfp

AARON COPLAND FUND FOR MUSIC PERFORMING ENSEMBLES
AMERICAN MUSIC CENTER
”The Program's objective is to support performing organizations whose artistic excellence encourages and improves public knowledge and appreciation of serious contemporary American music.” Awards range from $1,000 - $20,000
Deadline: June 30, 2007
Learn more: http://www.amc.net/resources/grants/performing.html

CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
Smarter Kids Foundation of Canada
”The Connections program offers a range of cross-cultural activities for sixth-grade teachers and students from the United States, Canada and Mexico designed to foster respect and appreciation for similarities and differences. Teachers and students from the participating classrooms collaborate on curriculum-based projects with the goal of encouraging mutual respect and understanding among students in North America. The SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada equips participating schools with education technology for easy, effective collaboration and provides teacher professional development. The program culminates in the spring when teachers and select students visit Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for a week of friendship, adventure and learning. Contact the Connections program manager at info@smarterkids.org or 403.451.2131.
Deadline: March 30, 2007
Learn more: http://smarterkids.org/k12/connections/appform.asp

LEMELSON-MIT INVENTEAMS
”Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative … to foster inventiveness among high school students. InvenTeams composed of high school students, teachers and mentors are asked to collaboratively identify a problem that they want to solve, research the problem, and then develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. Grants of up to $10,000 support each team's efforts. InvenTeams are encouraged to work with community partners, specifically the potential beneficiaries of their invention.”
’Early action’ deadline for feedback: March 16, 2007
Regular deadline: April 27, 2007
Learn more: http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/index.html

50,000 copies of "Inconvenient Truth" to be donated to educators

Participant Productions is giving away copies of the DVD An Inconvenient Truth (based on Al Gore's global warming presentations) to the first 50,000 educators who request it.

Apply by January 18, 2007 at http://www.participate.net/educators/DVD/giveaway .

IEA Weekly Newsletter - Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for January 10, 2007. The newsletter is published to the IEA listserv each Wednesday morning and is archived here on the IEA blog.

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REPORT
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QUALITY COUNTS 2007
CONNECTING AMERICAN EDUCATION FROM BIRTH TO ADULTHOOD
Education Week, 1/4/07
”A child born in Virginia is significantly more likely to experience success throughout life than the average child born in the United States, while a child born in New Mexico is likely to face an accumulating series of hurdles both educationally and economically, according to an analysis published by Education Week. The analysis by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center is based on the "Chance-for-Success Index," which tracks state efforts to connect education from preschool through postsecondary education and provides a perspective on the importance of education throughout a person’s lifetime. The index is based on 13 indicators that highlight whether young children get off to a good start, succeed in elementary and secondary school, and hit key educational and income benchmarks as adults. Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire rank at the top of the index, while Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and New Mexico lag significantly behind the national average in descending order.”
Learn more at http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2007/01/04/index.html .

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ARTS MANAGEMENT
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BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP IN ARTS AND CULTURE LEADERSHIP:
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
Victoria J. Saunders, CultureWork, 12/06
”The second of two articles on the generational transitioning of leadership in the arts. The first article, Boomers, XY's and the Making of a Generational Shift in Arts Management, sets the stage by outlining the similarities and differences in style, education and perspective that define arts and culture leaders from the Baby Boom and Generations X and Y (XY's). It further explores how this generational overlap can affect the ways in which they work together in the field of arts management. The article's overlying premise is that through acknowledgement and acceptance of the generational diversity in our own ranks, both emerging and established leaders can work together to ensure a strong future for our nonprofit arts and cultural institutions. This second article focuses on some of the ways in which arts institutions, community arts groups, and the people who lead them may take the first steps to bridge the divide with mutually beneficial results.”
Read "Boomers, XY’s, and the Making of a Generational Shift" at http://aad.uoregon.edu/culturework/culturework35a.html
Read more of Bridging the Generation Gap at http://aad.uoregon.edu/culturework/culturework36.html .


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IMPACT OF THE ARTS
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NEW REPORT REVEALS ART AND HEALTH CASE STUDIES
Arts Hub Australia, 12/20/06
VicHealth’s “Promoting Mental Health through accessing the Arts details the outcomes of a number of sponsored arts programs that have been in place since 2001. The programs were established as part of VicHealth’s commitment to the promotion of mental health and well being … A key point of the report is that arts organisations can play a pivotal role in promoting an agenda based on corporate social responsibility. The publication also suggests that mental health promotion - with its emphasis on inclusion, diversity and access - is directly relevant to the arts sector. The report asserts that a health promoting arts organisation will develop a set of standards that govern all activities and instigate programs that promote access, social inclusion and mental health and wellbeing.”
Read more at http://www.artshub.com.au/ahau1/news/news.asp?Id=150313 .


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EDUCATIONAL POLICY
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’NO CHILD’ LAW ON TRACK, SPELLINGS SAYS
Amit R. Paley, Washington Post, 1/4/07
“U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said yesterday that she welcomed proposals to "perfect and tweak" the No Child Left Behind law as Congress prepares for what could become a divisive debate on renewal of the landmark education initiative. But in an interview five days before the act's fifth anniversary, Spellings said its implementation was on track. She rejected calls for a major rewrite of the law, including some proposals advanced yesterday by a coalition of about 100 groups with a stake in education.”
Read more at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301617.html .



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ARTS-INTEGRATED TEACHING:
REFLECTING ON PAST WRITINGS
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THE WALDORF WAY
David Ruenzel, originally published in Teacher Magazine, 10/95.
”In American education, the notion of developing the "whole person" has been around forever. This is why our schools have long encouraged students to do everything from excel in math and play in the band to climb ropes and sing in musicals. At the Pine Hill Waldorf School in Wilton, N.H., however, the idea of educating the whole person hasn't led to an exhaustive string of extracurricular activities but is instead seamlessly integrated into every aspect of daily practice. Everyone at Pine Hill does most everything well--from playing the recorder to freehand drawing of geometric patterns--and all with a sort of contemplative reserve that seems, in its absence of competitive striving, almost un-American.”
Read more at http://www.jlc.net/~faiman/waldorf_way.html .


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TEACHING AND LEARNING:
EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY
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PODCASTING AT SCHOOL WIKI
Learn more about how educators are integrating podcasting technologies and lessons into their K-12 practice at the Podcasting at School wiki. The wiki includes information about how to podcast, what equipment is available, and links to student work. Visitors can add to the wiki’s collective knowledge anonymously by clicking the “Edit Page” button or credit their contributions by clicking the “Create a Free Account” button and then logging in.
Learn more at http://podcastingatschool.seedwiki.com .


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FUNDING, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR SCHOOL LIBRARIANS INNOVATIVE READING GRANT
”Established in 2006, the $2500 AASL Innovative Reading Grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative reading program for children which motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.” Deadline: February 1, 2007.
Learn more at http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslawards/innovativereadinggrant/aaslreading.htm .

BMI FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
“The purpose of the BMI Foundation's grants program is to support and promote the creation, performance and study of music. There is an emphasis on classical, jazz, and the musical theatre genres and on contemporary American music in general. Funding decisions for this program are made with the aid of the distinguished songwriters, composers and publishers who serve as the Foundation’s Advisory Panel. Only not-for-profit organizations may apply.” Grants generally range from $500 to $5000.
Learn more at http://www.bmifoundation.org/pages/GGrants.asp .

COMING UP TALLER AWARDS
Nominations are now available for the Coming Up Taller Awards, which supports creative after-school or out-of-school programs in the arts and humanities for underserved youth. Grants of $10,000 are available. The nomination deadline is January 31, 2007. The CUT Awards are sponsored by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Learn more at http://www.cominguptaller.org

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IEA Weekly Newsletter - January 3, 2007

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for January 3, 2007. The newsletter is published each Wednesday morning to the IEA listserv and is archived here on the IEA blog.


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REPORT
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EDUCATION MAP OF THE DECADE
KnowledgeWorks Foundation
“Public education in the United States is at a critical crossroads. The knowledge economy and globalization continue to challenge the basic industrial-era assumptions upon which most public schools, curriculum, and evaluation mechanisms are based. New interactive digital media are diffusing rapidly, even in lower-income communities, fostering a youth media culture that is crashing into schools and educators like a tsunami, raising issues of privacy, pedagogical relevance, and equity. Student performance is inconsistent across the country and average U.S. performance indicators lag disappointingly behind those of other countries. KnowledgeWorks Foundation commissioned a map to examine the forces affecting education and our economy because we believe that excellent education is critical to the future.”
Learn more and download a copy of the map (requires registration) at http://www.kwfdn.org/map/ .


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ARTICLE
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MUSIC OF THE HEMISPHERES
Clive Thompson, New York Times, 12/31/06
“Daniel Levitin … hit a button on his computer keyboard and out came a half-second clip of music. It was just two notes blasted on a raspy electric guitar, but I could immediately identify it: the opening lick to the Rolling Stones’ ‘Brown Sugar.’ Then he played another, even shorter snippet: a single chord struck once on piano. Again I could instantly figure out what it was: the first note in Elton John’s live version of ‘Benny and the Jets.’ Dr. Levitin beamed. ‘You hear only one note, and you already know who it is … so what I want to know is: How we do this? Why are we so good at recognizing music?’ … Dr. Levitin has devoted his career to exploring this question … This summer he published “This Is Your Brain on Music” (Dutton), a layperson’s guide to the emerging neuroscience of music … Dr. Levitin is singular among music scientists for actually having come out of the music industry. Before getting his Ph.D. he spent 15 years as a record producer, working with artists ranging from the Blue Öyster Cult to Chris Isaak.”
Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/arts/music/31thom.html?ex=1168232400&en=0a272e106438ff8f&ei=5070&emc=eta1 .



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CREATIVITY AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS
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CREATIVITY: LEARNED OR INNATE?
National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation, 12/15/06
”From a soulful poem to an ingenious experiment, what sparks the creative process? Is creativity something you're born with, or can it be learned? A look at the nature of creativity with neuroscientist Nancy Andreasen, Andrew H. Woods Chair of Psychiatry, Director of the Mental Health Clinic Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA.”
Hear the broadcast online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6631146 .

HARE BRAIN, TORTOISE MIND
John Cleese, Edutopia, 12/05
We often don't know where we get our ideas from … they just pop into our heads somehow, from out of the blue. They're not the result of fast, purposeful, logical thinking. We all understand that the slower kind of thinking regularly works for us. Yet, for some reason, we don't quite trust it. Which is why I was overjoyed to find a book Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind: How Intelligence Increases When You Think Less, by Guy Claxton, an academic psychologist. Claxton uses the phrase "hare brain" to refer to the sort of deliberate, conscious thinking we do when we apply reason and logic to known data. "Tortoise mind," on the other hand, is more playful, leisurely, even dreamy. In this mode we are contemplative or meditative. We ponder a problem, rather than earnestly trying to solve it, by just bearing it in mind as we watch the world go by. Why, then, has the tortoise mind become neglected?”
Read Cleese’s full essay at http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/ed1article.php?id=Art_1430&issue=dec_05 .

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BOOK REVIEW
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A WHOLE NEW MIND: MOVING FROM THE INFORMATION AGE TO THE CONCEPTUAL AGE
by Daniel H. Pink, Riverhead Books, 2005
Reviewed by John Giordano, National Arts and Learning Collaborative at Walnut Hill Newsletter
“In order to remain competitive in a global economy people should acknowledge the importance of the right sides of their brains. This is the compelling promise of Daniel Pink’s recent book, A Whole New Mind. Pink proposes that the emerging era is a conceptual age … conceptual age thinkers see the world metaphorically, intuitively, and holistically, drawing from the functions of the right hemisphere of the brain. Gone are the days when we were happy having things. Pink has noted that we now want things to have high-quality design and meaning … the winners in this new era, according to pink, are the people who possess highly developed interpersonal skills, empathy, design skills and big-picture thinking.”
Read the entire review on page 15 of the NALC newsletter, found at http://www.artslearning.org/uploads/NALCALReviewWinter2007.pdf .



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TEACHING AND LEARNING IDEAS
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AWESOMESTORIES OFFERS FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO PRIMARY STORIES DATABASE
http://www.awesomestories.com
“AwesomeStories is a gathering place of primary-source information. Its purpose … is to help educators and individuals find original sources, located at national archives, libraries, universities, and government web sites. Sources held in archives, which document so much important first-hand information, are often not searchable by popular search engines. AwesomeStories is about primary sources. The stories exist as a way to place original materials in context and to hold those links together in an interesting, cohesive way … As our holiday gift to students, their parents and the general public, we are waiving the $9.95 annual subscription fee. There will be no 'group access' for these memberships, but students (and their parents, if they wish) can receive free individual access to the site by simply requesting it with this form. https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=individual_signup … With their individual password, students and library patrons can access the database from any computer connected to the Internet. A story about the science of spiders (http://www.awesomestories.com/movies/charlottes_web/charlottes_web_ch1.htm) was recently released to coincide with the above announcement and the opening of Charlotte's Web. A privacy policy http://www.awesomestories.com/content/privacy.shtml is strictly enforced. Free academic-group status - for educators, schools and libraries - remains available, without restrictions, by submitting this form: https://www.awesomestories.com/signup.php?ua=group_signup .”


TECH-TIPS: GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR PODCAST
Scott Nesbitt, Geeks.com, 12/31/06
You've come up with a great topic for a daily or weekly podcast. The problem is that you don't know where to begin. Believe it or not, you don't need a lot of high-priced equipment or the expertise of an audio engineer to start podcasting. You can do it with a minimal amount of cash and a bit of work. So, what do you need? You need the right software, a good microphone, and a place to host your podcast. This TechTip will give you a few suggestions, and look at some of the other factors you should consider when starting a podcast.
Read more at http://www.geeks.com/techtips/2006/techtips-31dec06.htm



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CONFERENCE
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MASSACHUSETTES ARTS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE
Holsted by the National Arts and Learning Collaborative at Walnut Hill, Lesley University, Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, 5/31/07
Local and national arts education experts present research on what constitutes quality arts education, perspectives on the state of arts education funding from regional funders, discussion about how the arts teaching work force can work together to transform schools through the arts, and examples of local model programs that have received national recognition and funding.
Learn more at http://artslearning.org/programs/education.aspx .


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FUNDING, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
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NATIONAL SCHOOL AND BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS AWARD
Council for Corporate and School Partnerships
”Created by The Council for Corporate & School Partnerships, The National School and Business Partnerships Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between schools and businesses around the country. Partnerships involving kindergarten through 12th grade public schools and/or school districts and businesses are eligible to apply for the award … The Council presents six awards per year. Those selected for the award receive national recognition and the schools or districts receive $10,000 to support partnership efforts.”
Application Deadline: 1/30/07
For more information, visit: http://www.corpschoolpartners.org/award.shtml .

TRANSFORMING ARTS TEACHING: THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
The Dana Foundation
“The Dana Foundation initiative Transforming Arts Teaching: The Role of Higher Education will examine the role of teacher education colleges, conservatories, fine arts colleges, and other higher education institutions in preparing and advancing those who teach the arts to young people, grades preK-12. Transforming Arts Teaching will include the fall, 2007 release of a Dana Press publication featuring case studies and profiles of higher education ‘best practices’ from around the nation.”
Deadline for consideration for selection: Friday, 2/16/07
Learn more at http://www.dana.org/grants/artseducation/transformingartsed/ .

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IEA Newsletter - Dec. 20

Welcome to the Institute for Education and the Arts weekly newsletter for December 20, 2006. The newsletter is published each Wednesday morning to the IEA listserv and is archived on this blog.

Due to the holidays, there will be no newsletter on Wednesday, December 20.

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BREAKING NEWS
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EDUCATION 2.0: THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF SCHOOL SOFTWARE HAS ARRIVED
EMERGENCE OF OPEN TECHNOLOGIES AND OPEN-SOURCE ALTERNATIVES MAKES CUSTOMIZING SCHOOL SOFTWARE A REALITY
Corey Murray, eSchool News, 12/15/06
“Aiming to customize their solutions to meet the individual needs of teachers and students, a growing number of school systems are ushering in a new breed of school software that relies on open technologies--whether it's open-source software on their servers and desktops, or so-called Web 2.0 services available free of charge online. Economics and advancements in technology are fueling this latest trend in school software, proponents of the movement say--but it's also about customization, and the desire to employ a variety of solutions as users see fit.”
Read the article at http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=6739 .

FY 2007 APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS STRETCHES INTO NEXT YEAR
Americans for the Arts
“The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which makes grants to thousands of arts organizations across America, is currently funded at $124.4 million, far less than the $170 million-plus that it received prior to 1996. During 2006, Congress considered appropriations for FY 2007, which began on October 1, but it was unable to make a final decision. Its last day of work was December 8. Despite the failure to complete a bill, there were several positive developments. First, the House of Representatives approved a $5 million increase for the NEA when it considered a funding bill last spring … At least 42 Senators affirmed their support for this increase by cosigning a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. The new Congress will need to decide how to proceed when it convenes in early January. Meanwhile, the NEA is receiving funding at its 2006 level until a further decision is made.”
Learn more at http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=9039346&type=TA .



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REPORTS
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TOUGH CHOICES OR TOUGH TIMES
The Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce is encouraging a dramatic revamping of the U.S. school system. The Commission proposes examinations at the end of 10th grade, with students then staying in school to prepare for a four-year college education or moving to a community college. The bipartisan panelists estimate that this plan could save approximately $60 billion, money that could be use to fund early childhood education and higher teacher salaries.
Read more at:
http://www.skillscommission.org/
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/12/14/school.reform.ap/index.html

INFLUENCE: A STUDY OF THE FACTORS SHAPING EDUCATION POLICY:
BILL GATES, CONGRESS, AND NAEP TOP STUDY OF INFLUENCE
Edweek.org
“The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center’s new study, "Influence: A Study of the Factors Shaping Education Policy," has identified Bill Gates as the most influential person in education policy over the past decade. The study, based on a two-stage survey of education experts from across the country, also identified the United States Congress as the most influential organization in education policy. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) was found to be both the most influential research study, and information source of the past decade.”
Read the report at http://www.edweek.org/media/influence_study.pdf .
Learn more about a 12/20 live chat at http://www.edweek.org/rc/articles/2006/12/13/influentials.html

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ADVOCACY
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CONGRESS DEFERS ARTS FUNDING DECISION TO 2007:
AT ISSUE IS A 5 TO 10 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE FOR THE NEA
Americans for the Arts
“The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which makes grants to thousands of arts organizations across America, is currently funded at $124.4 million, far less than the $170 million-plus that it received prior to 1996. During 2006, Congress considered appropriations for FY 2007, which began on October 1, but it was unable to make a final decision. Its last day of work was December 8. Despite the failure to complete a bill, there were several positive developments. First, the House of Representatives approved a $5 million increase for the NEA when it considered a funding bill last spring … At least 42 Senators affirmed their support for this increase by cosigning a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. The new Congress will need to decide how to proceed when it convenes in early January. Meanwhile, the NEA is receiving funding at its 2006 level until a further decision is made.”
Learn more at http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=9039346&type=TA .


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LOOKING BACK AT PAST RESEARCH
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TECHNOLOGY IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS: SEVEN DIMENSIONS FOR GAUGING PROGRESS
Milken Family Foundation, 1998
Though specific technology tools have changed, the guiding principles behind this 1998 report remain useful today. The document explores multiple categories districts can use for gauging progress in technology integration. Requires free registration.
Read the report at http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.taf?page=158


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TEACHING AND LEARNING IDEAS
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ROUND-THE-CLOCK EDUCATION: ’24-7 LEARNING’ PORTAL EXTENDS THE REACH OF FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOLS
Corey Murray, eSchool News, 6/1/06
Virginia’s Fairfax County schools are utilizing online platforms such as Blackboard to extend the reach of face-to-face classes or offer virtual learning opportunities.
Read more at http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showstory.cfm?ArticleID=6515 .


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FUNDING, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
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MUSIC FOR ALL, AMERICAN MUSIC CONFERENCE SEEK BEST 100 COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
”For the eighth year in a row, a coalition of leading music and education organizations are searching for communities that exemplify quality music education in America. Is your district destined to become a Best 100 Community for Music Education? Now through January 23, you'll find an online survey form you can use to submit information on behalf of your community.”
Learn more:
http://www.music-for-all.org/news_details.asp?id=94
http://www.amc-music.org


READING RESOURCE PROJECT: LITERACY EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION
”The Reading Resource Project is an ongoing program that runs throughout the year. The program distributes books FREE of charge for Read Across America Day and other literacy programs. Recipients merely pay $.65 per book for shipping, handling, and administrative costs. Reading Resource Project books come in sets of 100 books per set. There will not be more than four copies of the same book in any set. Reading levels are available for Pre-K through Second Grade. Book selection and quantity is dependent upon availability, so there is no guarantee of specific titles. Books are sorted and shipped as close to a project's needs as possible, with regard to reading level and topic.”
Learn more at http://www.lefbooks.org/reading_resource_project/ .

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