The Maine DOE’s Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) welcomed 14 new teacher leaders during the summer institute held at the Maine College of Art in Portland. More than 50 visual and performing arts teachers have received professional development to become teacher leaders and continue to provide workshops on a variety of topics that include assessment. During the last two years, more than 800 teachers have attended sessions at the regional, mega-regional and statewide levels, and electronically. The teachers represent dance, music, theatre and visual arts from PK-12 grade levels and all regions of the state.
The summer institute launched the third phase of the initiative, with this year’s focus on standards and proficiency, leadership through outreach and advocacy. The teacher leaders analyzed the topic of “proficiency” to determine the requirements for proficiency in the arts. While this was not an easy topic, participant feedback showed that this conversation was necessary, given LD 1422’s upcoming impact on the classroom.
The Maine DOE MAAI partners with several professional groups, including New England Institute for Teacher Education, University of Southern Maine, Maine Learning Technology Initiative, Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine, Maine Art Education Association, Maine Music Educators Association, Maine Arts Commission and Maine Alliance for Arts Education.
For more information, visit the MAAI website or contact the Department’s Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Argy Nestor at argy.nestor@maine.gov.
As an additional resource for arts teachers, the Department has compiled MAAI arts education assessment resources for teachers and the Maine Arts Assessment also offers assessment resources.