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.
Seed Model Campus Cohort Program Evaluation: Early signs of campus improvement in social and emotional learning
This report looks at the impact of the Seed Model Campus Cohort Program in its first 3 years of implementation. Evidence put forth in the report suggests that by deliberately focusing on inclusive program design and peer-to-peer sharing with a focus on growth, the program already positively contributes to SEL implementation, particularly through increased coordination of SEL leadership efforts and through increased adult SEL skills.
Afterschool Centers on Education Foundation Communities Cycle 9 Final Report, 2019-2020
The Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) is the program administered through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the federally funded 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grants. The ACE Foundation Communities’ Cycle 9 program provides intentional afterschool program experiences that are high quality, challenging, and inspiring. Across activities and centers, the afterschool program focuses on three primary objectives: decrease school-day absences, decrease discipline referrals, and increase academic achievement. This report examines outcomes for participants.
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 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.”
Summary of Austin Independent School District Telecommuting Surveys
Telecommuting is currently used in many industries and is celebrated for fostering job satisfaction and increased productivity. However, telecommuting is not widely practiced in K-12 environments. Two departments in AISD implemented pilot telecommuting programs. This report presents survey results from these pilot implementation models and summarizes the lessons learned to better understand the challenges and best practices of implementation.
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 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…