JACKSON SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTED FOR PROJECT THAT USES ART TO TEACH

JACKSON -- Because of its willingness to accept new teaching concepts, the Jackson School District was selected for a pilot program that uses art to teach math, science and history.

Senate Bill 380, the Outstanding Schools Act, made money available for professional development through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Missouri Alliance for Arts Education received a $125,000 grant and devoted a portion to the arts-based education program, Carol Carson-Commerford, MAAE executive director, said.

Three other school districts, representing various geographical regions and school sizes were selected for the project. It is based on the St. Louis Art Museum's "Art to Go" program, through which teachers use museum pieces to teach various subjects.

A representative of the museum will visit Jackson on Wednesday and Thursday to explain how classroom teachers may use art to get their information across.

"This is good for students who don't learn well in the traditional ways," Carson-Commerford said.

She said that, in addition to Jackson's reputation as an innovative district, she helped select the district for grant money because she had lived in Jackson.

Only about 20 teachers can attend the two-day workshop, but many others were turned away due to a limited number of substitutes. Carol Horst, an elementary-art teacher with the district, said there was a waiting list for the workshop.

The idea isn't completely new -- education magazines have discussed an arts-based approach to learning for years. Even now, elementary teachers may ask their students to draw leaves, complete with veins, so the children can understand circulation. Others instruct children to draw their story ideas before beginning creative writing.

"So much of math and science is based on creativity," Horst said. "The best way of teaching children how to see similarity and contrast is through art."

Fred Jones, assistant superintendent, said elementary-school teacher Martha Short's involvement with the MAAE was part of the reason Jackson received grant money. He said he is taking a "wait-and-see" attitude on the project and is anxious to examine the outcome.

After the workshop, and teachers apply the information in their classrooms, an evaluation will go back to MAAE.