Publications
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.
Creative Learning Initiative 2016–2017 Annual Report
Report of program evaluation activities for the 2016-2017 school year.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Austin: Annual Evaluation Report 2019–2020
In 2019–2020, the program’s third federally funded year, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Austin served a cohort of 8th grade students (n = 2,546) across 11 middle schools. Nearly all GEAR UP students received support services relevant to college preparation. Evaluation findings suggest that students, teachers, and parents had a positive perspective on the role of the program services in college preparation.
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.
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…
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…
Any Given Child Creative Learning Initiative: Results From the November 2013 Creative Learning Initiative Survey
The November 2013 Creative Learning Initiative Survey was designed to gather participants’ feedback about the arts-based instruction workshop that took place in November, the facilitator(s) of that workshop, the participants’ implementation of the arts-based instruction, and the impact of the workshop on their students and their own professional growth. Staff from the McCallum and Travis vertical teams participated in the Creative Learning Initiative. Staff from 22 of the 24 campuses participated in the November Creative Learning Initiative workshop, and staff from all 24 campuses…
Any Given Child Creative Learning Initiative: Results From the August 2013 Creative Learning Workshop Survey
The Creative Learning Professional Development Workshop Survey, administered in August 2013, was designed to gather participants’ feedback about the arts-based instruction workshop, the facilitator(s), and participants’ plans to use the strategies taught during the workshop. Staff from the McCallum and Travis vertical teams participated in the Any Given Child Creative Learning Initiative workshop and survey.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Austin: Annual Evaluation Report 2018–2019
In 2018–2019, the program’s second federally funded year, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Austin served a cohort of 7th-grade students (n = 2,536) across 11 middle schools. Nearly all GEAR UP students received support services relevant to college preparation. Evaluation findings suggest that students, teachers, and parents had a positive perspective on the role of the program services in college preparation.
Creative Campus Profiles, 2015-2016
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, based on information gathered in the 2015-2016 Arts Inventory. The profile was developed and piloted in the Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) campuses over two years, but is relevant and now available for all AISD campuses. This will be an annual report, and will be used to track the progress of our district's investment in the whole child through the arts and creative…