Formative Assessment from Arts Assessment for Learning
About
The Arts Assessment for Learning website is the product of a partnership between the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects and ArtsConnection, a model arts education organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (US DE). Since 2005, the two have collaborated on USDE-funded projects that support the professional development of hundreds of New York City arts teachers.
“The Arts Assessment for Learning project has demonstrated that formative assessment can play a central role in arts education by focusing teachers and students on the learning goals, the gaps between students’ performances and those goals, and ways to close those gaps.”
Resources of Note
- This site presents the implementation and evidence of formative assessment practices in the arts. To begin, under the 'disciplines' tab select a discipline — music, dance, visual arts, or theater — to explore projects and view or download helpful tools.
- There is a very informative video series (at the bottom of the 'about assessment' page) that delves into the research and implementation strategies of formative assessment.
- Artful Learning Communities are groups of educators within a school community that utilize the strategies of formative assessment to improve student achievement and were the action groups that provided the research for this project. On the 'community' page there is more information on what an Artful Learning Community is, why you should consider creating one as well as useful information and toolkits on how to create one in your school community.