VSA arts Institute Educators Focus on Inclusive Classrooms

October 31, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 31, 2006 –The VSA arts Institute yesterday wrapped up three days of intense professional development for educators from around the country. The Institute: Student Achievement and Growth in the Inclusive Classroom, convened October 27 at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington.

Teachers, artists, and administrators from across the Pacific Northwest, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City came to the Columbia River Gorge to examine the role of creating art to advance inclusive classrooms and communities. The VSA arts Institute concentrates on improving the educational development of individuals with disabilities through programs led by national arts in education leaders.

James E. Modrick, Vice President for Affiliate and Education Services for VSA arts, opened the Institute by citing the draft Washington Learns report outlining educational reform to prepare Washington students for the 21st century. Washington Learns is conducting an 18-month review of Washington’s education system, its structure, and funding. The report includes the role that learning through the arts plays in developing skills for the new economy.

Modrick pointed out statistics that paint a different future for students with disabilities. “Only 36 percent of students with disabilities actually graduate from high school, and just over one-third of those graduates enroll in any post secondary education,” said Modrick. “In this ‘new economy’ in which 80 percent of jobs will require a college degree, where does that leave students with disabilities?”

Dennie Palmer Wolf, Director of Opportunity and Accountability for the Annenberg Institute, reinforced the message of a refined understanding of creativity in teaching, learning, and education reform. Her work with a variety of education systems has lead her to propose a “capability-oriented” environment that allows students to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in ways beyond standardized tests. Dr. Wolf is a member of the National Assessment Governing Board.

Institute core sessions and workshops were presented by VSA arts’ 2006 Faculty of educators and artists; Deborah Brzoska, Hillary Easton, Dawn M. Ellis, Christine Goodheart, Russell Granite, Gordon Sasaki, and Deborah Stuart; and VSA arts’ Teaching Artist Fellows; Christopher Wolfe, Nilea Rohrer-Parvin, Barbara Romain, Jaehn Clare, and Sarah Demas. The next VSA arts Institute will be in Cairo, Egypt, April 2007.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.