Learning Acceleration Considerations
DESE - Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education -
Acceleration of Learning 2020-2021 - Responding quickly to gaps in readiness
Learning Acceleration Recommendations for districts
Indiana's Guidelines for identifying learning gaps. -Access here
Your administrators are likely concerned about missed instructional opportunities - especially those in subject areas for which there is a current state-wide assessment.
When there are obstacles to arts instruction which inhibit your ability to meet Missouri's Fine Arts Standards with traditional class sizes and formats, positioning yourself as a part of the solution could work to your advantage.
GAPS in ARTS INSTRUCTION
The crisis teaching that occurred in Spring, 2020 had many varied challenges. Arts teachers attempted to engage with students with limited time to prepare, and were thwarted by issues such as health, safety, digital access challenges including both device and issues of connectivity for remote learning. Many times, a conscious choice was made to focus attention on learning activities in subject areas which receive consideration on state-wide assessments, and thereby students were even more distanced from the arts.
High student caseloads, and guidelines to minimize "screen time" for learners meant some arts teachers did not have much of an opportunity to interact with students at all. In these extraordinary circumstances there was a desire to minimize stress for students and parents, and student access to arts content and instruction was severely curtailed. Teachers using paper "packets" reported low student engagement, and logistical challenges of delivery and safe handling.
Navigating a path uncover lost learning, while remaining mindful of health and safety guidelines, and with limitations on access to students could be a great challenge in the coming months. Preparing multiple contingency plans will enable arts educators to quickly pivot their instruction if needed.
Ways in which you might help to make up for lost instructional time include
leveraging the relationships that have been built over time between students and arts educators (these are your students, some of whom have been your students for several years!) Use that knowledge about students and their learning preferences to increase engagement, and accelerate learning
partnering with educators of other disciplines to help students reach learning targets, while still addressing arts standards by utilizing ARTS INTEGRATION strategies or aspects of STEAM. (integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
Information about Blended Learning Models which may apply to both distance learning and modified in-person learning settings may be found on the Distance Learning Page.
