Publications

Creative Learning Initiative: Implementation Summary, 2018-2019
The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) is a community-wide effort to bring creative learning and the arts to each and every student in Austin. Lead by MINDPOP, the City of Austin, and Austin Independent School District (AISD), CLI designs systematic and sustainable programs that integrate creativity, creative teaching strategies, and the arts with classroom teaching, campus programming, and campus improvement. Overall, CLI implementation in 2018–2019 was comparable to prior years and continues to have a positive impact on students. This report summarizes the CLI implementation activities.

2015-2016 Creative Learning Initiative Annual Report
The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) is a community-wide effort to bring creative learning and the arts to each and every student in Austin. Lead by MINDPOP, the City of Austin, and the Austin Independent School District (AISD), CLI designs systemic and sustainable programs that integrate creativity, creative teaching strategies, and the arts with classroom teaching, campus programming, and campus improvement. Evaluation findings suggest CLI implementation had a positive impact on the district, its teachers and the students it serves.

The Creative Learning Initiative Innovates Teaching and Learning: Impact Highlights of the 2014–2015 School Year
The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI), a collective impact partnership among the Austin Independent School District (AISD), the city of Austin, and MINDPOP (an arts partnership dedicated to expanding creative learning in Austin and representing over 50 arts and cultural agencies), created arts-rich schools at a rate that exceeded the benchmark goal. The CLI had a positive impact on both teachers and students, as well as on the district. Teachers reported positive experiences with the program activities and positive changes in student engagement, behavior, and student achievement. Students…

Sequential Fine Arts in 2017-2018
AISD promotes access to sustained learning for all students in music, visual art, drama, and dance. This report discusses the relationship between sequential fine arts participation and student outcomes for the school year 2017–2018 and how the relationships differ between based on student characteristics (i.e. race, ethnicity, special education status and limited English speaking status). To view the interactive report, click on the link below, then use the green drop down menu in the upper left corner to select “Fine Arts Participation.”
Creative Learning Initiative 2016–2017 Annual Report
Report of program evaluation activities for the 2016-2017 school year.

Creative Teaching in 2017-2018
Creative instruction across the curriculum is a critical pillar of the Creative Learning Initiative (CLI). This report, the second in a series of three on CLI, shares teacher’s reactions to training in Creative Teaching, how and why they use it in the classroom, and how that usage relates to student outcomes. To view the interactive report, click on the link below, then use the green drop down menu in the upper left corner to select “Creative Teaching.”

Creative Campus Profiles, 2016-2017
Research on creative learning shows that students attending arts-rich schools have higher levels of motivation and better academic and social success. Arts richness is measured in the Creative Campus profile reports according to nine diverse components and is based on information gathered in the 2016-2017 Arts Inventory and school records. This is an annual report used to track the progress of our district's investment in the whole child through the arts and creative teaching. By systematically investing in understanding the arts-richness of our schools district and campus leaders can…

The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) Annual Evaluation Report 2014–2015
This report presents findings from the 2014–2015 school year, the second year of comprehensive data collection of the Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) in the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Data suggest participating in the CLI had a positive impact on both teachers and students, as well as on the district. Teachers reported positive experience with the program activities and positive changes in student engagement, behavior, and student achievement. Student outcomes included increased student access to arts opportunities, improved student attendance, decreased discipline…

Creative Campus Distribution in 2017-2018
National research shows that students attending arts-rich schools have higher levels of motivation and better academic and social success. This report, the first in a series of three on the Creative Learning Initiative, is used to track the progress of our district's investment in the whole child through the arts and creative teaching at each campus. To view the interactive report, click on the link below, then use the green drop down menu in the upper left corner to select “Creative Campus Profiles.”

Creative Learning Initiative: Summary Findings of Elementary School Arts Inventory, 2013–2014
This report describes the implementation of arts-based instruction during in-school and out-of-school times. Specifically, it summarizes the results of four components of the inventory: (a) sequential fine arts instruction during school, (b) community arts experiences during school, (c) out-of-school time arts opportunities on campus, and (d) opportunities for students to publicly perform or exhibit in each art form.