A Value Plus Schools initiative is a five-year school reform model developed and administered by the Arts Education program of the Tennessee Arts Commission. Value Plus is currently being piloted in six Title 1 elementary schools across Tennessee. Dickson Elementary is fortunate to have been chosen as one of the schools in Middle Tennessee to participate in this national case study on arts integration model implementation.
Each summer, all 6 Value Plus Schools come together for the Summer Intensive, a 4-Day professional development opportunity, where classroom teachers, arts specialists, principals, and teaching artists participate in a variety of workshops, lesson demos and art experiences to learn about successful strategies needed for integrating the art into the daily curriculum. In Value Plus Schools, classroom teachers, art specialists and teaching artists work collaboratively to create lessons that integrate grade level standards and the arts (music, visual art, dance, theatre, and the literary arts).
Funding provided through the Value Plus Grant makes it possible to bring teaching artists to Dickson Elementary to work with teachers and students. Funding also makes it possible to purchase art supplies and equipment to facilitate arts integration. Cultural experiences such as field trips to the Renaissance Center and the Children's Theater can be funded through the grant. After school programs that center on the arts are a benefit of funding provided through the grant.
