Arts in the classroom can make a difference for Hoosier students.
In order to be eligible for participating in the PACE program, schools had to meet a number of eligibility qualifications.
They include the following:
- Indiana elementary public, private, parochial, or charter schools;
- Schools performing below the state average passing rate on the most recent state standardized assessments in English/Language Arts and Math and having a Free/Reduced Meal rate above the state average of 55%; and
- Representative of urban, rural, and underserved populations.
Programs were not continuations or expansions of existing partnerships but may have included schools that had limited arts experiences outside of the regular arts classroom. Schools interested in participating in the PACE program submitted proposals that were reviewed by the IAC. Arts educators, classroom teachers, teaching artists, and administration in the schools worked closely to create curriculum and to implement assessments for their programs.
What educators are saying about PACE
“The art literacy program benefited our classrooms in so many ways. It gave the students an increased time to create art, it gave them access to different cultures, and it enhanced the literature and writing program that we use in our classrooms. The program gave the students stronger background knowledge to make text to self and text to world connections.”– Classroom teacher
“We have already begun plans to increase Professional Development with our staff to ensure that long after the grant funding has stopped our students/staff can still benefit from the extraordinary opportunity we've been afforded.”– Principal
“Everything the PACE program has provided and planned for SEJ has been completely student focused, as well as art, literacy, and growth mindset driven.”– Classroom teacher
Participating School Profiles
School | Location | Artistic Discipline | School Enrollment | PACE Participants | Free/Reduced Lunch | Passing Math | Passing ELA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pine Elementary School | Michigan City | Dance | 420 | 125 | 81% | 41% | 51% |
James Russell Lowell (IPS #51) | Indianapolis | Theatre | 348 | 60 | 74% | 16% | 27% |
Van Buren Elementary School | Nashville | Visual Arts | 212 | 72 | 58% | 52% | 65% |
S. Ellen Jones Elementary | New Albany | Visual Arts | 223 | 50 | 88% | 45% | 59% |
South Wayne Elementary School | Fort Wayne | Dance | 419 | 114 | 75% | 41% | 42% |
Boulevard STEM Elementary | Kokomo | Visual Arts | 366 | 60 | 58% | 16% | 27% |
Meadows Elementary School | Terre Haute | Visual Arts | 309 | 104 | 83% | 53% | 50% |
John W. Kendall Elementary | Marion | Music | 383 | 40 | 77% | 52% | 54% |
McKinley Center | South Bend | Theatre | 405 | 170 | 79% | 27% | 49% |