| This qualitative study focused on a specific professional development program, the Center for Creative Education's (CCE) 1999 summer institute. Of major concern was its relationship with the 1999 fall semester, and the 2000 spring and fall semesters of classroom instruction involving Project Learning through Education and Arts Partnerships (LEAP), for six elementary level teachers at three school sites in Palm Beach County, Florida. The selected approach to arts integration involved the disciplines of visual arts, dance, theater, and music as integrated with mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. The review of literature includes research about arts integration, Gardner's (1999) multiple intelligences theory, creativity, collaboration, school reform, adult learning, standards, and assessments in the arts and professional development.; A list of ten desirable characteristics concerning arts integration professional development was developed and used to evaluate the CCE's 1999 summer institute, which resulted in seven strong areas and weaknesses in three areas. Data from participants' written applications, pre-institute and post-institute surveys, evaluations, journal entries, observations, and interviews were analyzed, interpreted, and used to further evaluate the 1999 summer institute. Based upon research and data analysis, a proposed workshop was designed for use as a guide for future arts integration professional development. |
