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Statewide Adoption of Christina School District’s Self-Paced VPA Professional Development for HB 198

Self-Paced VPA Professional Development for HB198. Inclusion of Black History in All Subjects.

Christina School District Development of Visual & Performing Arts HB198 Professional Development
and Self-Paced Coursework Adopted by the State of Delaware Department of Education

The Visual and Performing Arts: HB198 Self-Paced Coursework was initiated in Christina School District as a way to support professional development for HB-198, the inclusion of Black History in all subjects.  This work is intended to be a support for district or schools’ visual and performing Arts professional development, not a substitute for it.  For visual and performing arts, it is essential to meet HB198 in an art-centered way, and provide students opportunities to express their experience and voice, reflect on the past, and build a better future.  

In Christina School District, this work began with professional development surveys to teachers about their understanding of Black American arts and artists across historical time periods, as well as social emotional development, social justice and cultural awareness through arts education.  Based on the survey data, a year-long professional development plan for visual and performing artists was created.  The work included partnerships with Delaware Institute for the Arts, with teaching artists supporting professional development activities and also working with teachers and students in classrooms.  This self-paced coursework was another support for teachers in pursuing areas of interest or need. 

The research for the coursework itself was founded on culturally responsive teaching practices, which are the core of the introductory module.  Only with groundwork for how to effectively teach cultural works, especially those outside of the teacher’s own culture and experience, can we aim to provide the authenticity needed to teach cultural content and develop cultural competence.  Following the introductory module, historical period units were developed to connect the events of the time with the artist's perspectives and masterworks.  Lesson plan resources were included whenever possible. Modules linking social-emotional development, social justice and awareness through arts education topics were also developed.

The work is ongoing as this information is open-source and requires maintenance.  We encourage educators participating to share new resources as they are created and to let us know if links are outdated.  

We acknowledge the following people for their role in the creation of the Visual and Performing Arts: HB198 Self-Paced Coursework: 

  • Dr. Nathalie Princilus, Christina School District Supervisor of Unique Programs, Equity, Staff and Student Support, who tasked and oversaw the professional development plan, including the creation of this self-paced coursework. 

  • Sheila Lynch, Christina School District Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist, for initiating research for this professional development. 
     
  • Dr. Lauren Conrad, Delaware Department of Education Visual and Performing Arts Education Associate - When it became evident that this work could support teachers statewide, Lauren built the team of writers and headed the rollout of the coursework for professional development clock hours. 

  • The course writers: Jennifer Boland, Erika Brown, Mary Caligiure, Jessica Green, and Sheila Lynch for their commitment to supporting learning about Black History, Artists, and Culture. 
  • Thank you to the many visual and performing arts teachers in Christina School District for piloting the coursework; their feedback and input was invaluable.

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