This academic year, elementary schools in Portland that benefit from the Portland Arts Tax will pilot a newly developed assessment tool aimed at enhancing the quality of arts education provided to students. This initiative seeks to foster greater transparency in how Arts Tax dollars are allocated while ensuring that arts education reaches its highest potential in elementary schools.
The assessment tool, referred to as the ‘arts education framework,’ was created through a collaborative effort involving the City of Portland’s Office of Arts and Culture, Portland State University’s Regional Research Institute for Human Services, and various school district representatives. The Office of Arts and Culture is responsible for overseeing the Portland Arts Access Fund, funded by the $35 Arts Tax imposed on Portland residents each year. A portion of this tax, approved by voters in 2012, specifically supports the salary of a full-time arts teacher in every elementary school across the city.
Elementary schools within six districts—Portland Public Schools, David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose, Reynolds, and Riverdale—will participate in testing the arts education framework. Dawn Isaacs, the City of Portland’s arts education coordinator, elaborated on the framework’s purpose, stating that it defines what constitutes a high-quality arts education and assesses the necessary conditions for delivering such an education.
The framework aims to provide a clearer understanding of how arts education is functioning within these schools. Isaacs emphasized the importance of monitoring the conditions under which arts education is delivered, such as the availability of resources, including staffing, materials, and classroom facilities.
Kristen Brayson, director of visual and performing arts for Portland Public Schools, pointed out the critical role that these elements play in successful arts education. She highlighted that factors such as the frequency and duration of art classes can significantly influence educational outcomes.
Brayson also noted the resource-intensive nature of arts programs, pointing out that music classes require instruments and visual arts courses necessitate a range of supplies, such as paints and brushes. Additionally, she emphasized the necessity of appropriate spaces for teaching—the varying conditions of classrooms can impact the effectiveness of arts instruction.
The absence of adequate resources can hinder even the most capable arts teachers from delivering quality education. Deb Eliot, a senior research associate at PSU’s Regional Research Institute, explained that the new measurement tool has been crafted to allow schools to be evaluated based on clear, objective criteria.
Each participating school will be required to submit survey responses to the Office of Arts and Culture, which can be measured through simple yes/no answers, counts, or percentages. This data will determine how well each arts program aligns with the established framework.
The development of the arts education framework was a year-long process, drawing inspiration from existing models such as Chicago’s creative schools certification and the Boston Public Schools’ Art Expansion program. After piloting the framework in several schools during the spring of 2025, the framework will undergo revisions before being fully implemented. Isaacs is optimistic that this tool has significant potential to enhance the quality of arts education.
She asserted that if all the necessary indicators fall into place positively, teachers will be better equipped to provide high-quality instruction. This approach aims to level the playing field, making the quality of arts education more equitable across Portland’s elementary schools.
Isaacs affirmed that there are currently no penalties for schools that do not meet the framework’s criteria. Instead, the focus will be on collaborative efforts to improve the arts education experience.
In addition to improving education quality, the arts education framework is designed to promote transparency regarding the utilization of Arts Tax funds. A future dashboard will allow teachers, schools, parents, and the community to view how schools perform according to the framework, potentially increasing parental and community engagement.
Brayson expressed that this visibility may also cultivate a sense of accountability, highlighting the areas where schools may need to strive for improvement. Eliot reinforced this sentiment, suggesting that ultimately, this initiative will serve taxpayers by demonstrating the effective allocation of their money towards arts education.
As Portland schools prepare to implement this groundbreaking assessment tool, both educators and community leaders remain hopeful that it will bring about significant advancements in the quality and accessibility of arts education for elementary students throughout the city.
image source from：orartswatch
