MCPS To Participate in Summit to Examine the State of Arts Education in Maryland

The Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS) Alliance is sponsoring Superintendents Summit: The State of Arts Education in Maryland on Friday, May 11, from 10:45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore. The convocation of top educators will address ways in which the arts enhance student achievement and the quality of the classroom experience. School system superintendents, superintendents of curriculum and instruction, and board of education members from Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions will attend.

Presenters include Superintendent Jerry D. Weast and arts educators from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) (11:20 a.m.). The presentation will focus on the MCPS Arts Integration Model schools. Principals, arts lead teachers, and classroom teachers from Dr. Charles Drew, Kensington Parkwood, and Potomac elementary schools will share their experiences and demonstrate examples of lessons and units that address standards in both an art form and another curricular area. Teachers incorporate art, music, dance, and drama/theatre concepts and skills in highly effective and engaging lessons. Joan Stoer, coordinator, Elementary Art, Theater, and Dance, will facilitate discussions around key questions.

Other presenters include State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick, who will speak on arts education research and policy (10:50 a.m.), and University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Freeman Hrabowski, who will announce the approval of a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Arts Integration (12:20 p.m.).

The purpose of the Summit is to:

-Present the latest research and findings on the positive impact of arts education
-Provide a briefing on the status of the implementation of the Maryland State Board of Education’s fine arts education policy
-Provide information about best practices in developing high quality fine arts programs and providing effective instruction
-Present successful new models encompassing comprehensive systemic arts programs, innovative arts integration schools, and arts magnet schools.

For more information, contact Brad Dunnells or Janice Webber at AEMS at 410-783-2367.