Measuring Up to the Challenge

Book excerpt: This book takes a detailed look at current knowledge as basis for assessment policy; describes arts education assessment currently being developed or implemented; and proposes policy directions. The book is organized in 7 chapters: (1) "What Standards and Assessment Can Do for Arts Education" brings together statements advocating standards and assessments as a means of making the arts equal to other disciplines in the K-12 curriculum. (2) "The Assessment Needs of Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts Education, and Community-based Arts Education Organizations" demonstrates how the general argument made in the preceding chapter applies to specific art disciplnes. (3) "Exemplary Assessment Programs" mentions programs such as the Ohio Partership, the Florida Institute for Art Education and its Comprehensive and Holistic Assessment Task, and an assessment in music based on Arts PROPEL. (4) "National and State Assessment Designs" discusses proposed assessment efforts. (5) "Cautions: The Magnitude of the Task Ahead" surveys the components of the educational system which must change to support the implementation of arts standards and assessments. (6) "What are We Going To Do about It?" presents an action agenda for groups and organizations concerned with arts education assessments. (7) "Summary: Present Knowledge, Future Policy" summarizes what is known about arts education assessment and outlines a policy for assessment. Appendices include the 1992 Symposium information, programs and related documents. (FB)