This includes practices that support a growth mindset, challenge implicit bias, and elevate asset-based and culturally responsive pedagogies. It should be accessible to all stakeholders. Professional learning providers will facilitate learning and resources to the many diverse stakeholders across the arts education sector.
In 2023-24, 76% of elementary schools and 72% of high schools reported that arts instructors or administrators participated in arts-specific professional development.
Understanding and Implementation of Illinois Arts Learning Standards x Usefulness of DAE PL and Resources
Understanding of IL Arts Learning Standards
Implementation of IL Arts Learning Standards
Teachers that engaged with district professional learning and/or resources reported significantly higher levels of understanding and implementation of the Illinois Arts Learning Standards, compared to teachers who did not engage with those supports.
Strategies:
- Conduct an annual review of existing professional learning offerings to identify gaps, ensure coherence across partner- and district-led offerings, and align all learning experiences to the instructional vision of the Arts Education Plan.
- Enhance accessibility of professional learning by expanding flexible training formats for arts educators, general education teachers and school leaders, including live, asynchronous, and on-demand learning opportunities, integrating digital platforms to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Create a centralized, searchable, online hub for readily available asynchronous professional learning for CPS arts educators.
- Coordinate and disseminate centralized professional learning opportunities available to all arts educators and art partners in order to ensure stakeholders understand what exists and how to access the multitude of opportunities across Chicago.
- Continue to develop cohorts of Arts Teacher Leaders to lead peer professional learning opportunities for arts educators across the sector.
- Update the Arts Addendum to the Framework for Teaching to support arts teachers and school administrators to authentically evaluate teacher practices aligned to current best practices.
- Coordinate with key partners on events for multiple audiences for the purposes of professional learning, collaboration, and celebration of arts education.
- Leverage schools’ Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) to deliver school-based professional learning based on district best practices and expectations.
- Schools with a Fine & Performing Arts School board-designation will receive specialized coaching, professional learning, and resources to guide administrators and staff to meet the standards for success for those programs.
- Develop specific professional learning for teaching artists and arts partners to develop high-quality curriculum, instruction, and assessments, aligned with district best practices and priorities.