ODE Introduces CAIT at AEP National Forum
Arts education leaders, managers and practioners can find synergy between the arts and broader education priorities—including a nationwide push toward the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. That's the message given to more than 200 participants at the Arts Education Partnership's (AEP) national forum in Cleveland by state arts consultant Nancy Pistone, a representative of the Ohio Department of Education.
"At ODE, our mission is to develop thinkers, leaders and innovators for the future," she said. "All of us here know the arts provide all students with engaging and direct pathways to becoming all three, and it's our responsibility to show and tell others how." Ohio's emphasis on 21st century skills and the STEM subjects is an opportunity for the arts education community to have a greater impact, she said.
Pistone told the audience that ODE strives "to open the doors and windows on arts education in the state by encouraging more new voices to contribute to our discussions and efforts."
The Department has expanded its outreach to schools and arts teachers through increased professional development opportunities and the formation of a statewide arts advisory committee—the Committee for the Arts and Innovative Thinking (CAIT). The 39-member group represents various Ohio constituencies and regions and is affiliated with 27 education, community and cultural arts organizations to ensure a high level of collaboration. She reported that the committee would contribute to a new AEP national initiative that will be announced soon. This connection will influence CAIT's state-level efforts to develop a compelling action plan with arts education central to learning, disseminate information to grass roots networks and strengthen the appeal of STEM programs.
Pistone's encouraging remarks reminded the audience that an education department is an agency with several important roles. With the right collaborative effort, it can become an agency of empowerment for the arts in the educational lives of all children.
More from the Fall 2007 Arts Education Partnership Forum
Read about Cleveland's presentation.
Go to the AEP Web site to download Gail Burnaford's Powerpoint presentation.
Read Nancy Pistone's April 2009 article "Time to Lead."
This article was published in October 2007, Volume 4, No 1.
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