Arts for Learning Connecticut

Higher order thinking schools:higher order thinking (hot) schools is a whole-school, deep impact, teaching and Learning program that incorporates a variety of Arts Learning activities and serves 10 diverse k-12 partner schools accross the state that primarily enroll students who are black, indigenous, or people of color, and/or who qualify for free or reduced price meals. An evaluation conducted by an external research partner demonstrates significant impact with regards to our three primary goals: improving student engagement, enriching school culture, and expanding teacher practice.

Teaching artist professional development:arts for Learning Connecticut provides professional development for teaching artists in our core Arts for Learning framework (inclusive of social and emotional Learning, culturally responsive teaching, universal design for Learning, and the national core Arts standards), as well as related pedagogies. We also recruit and prepare teaching artists from underrepresented communities through an expansive mentoring and training initiative that is designed to ensure that our teaching artists community and programs are reflective of the diversity of Connecticut's students.

Responsive Arts Learning programs:each year Arts for Learning Connecticut provides thousands of individual Arts Learning programs (including cultural performances, creative workshops, extended residencies, and professional development) in schools, libraries, and other community institutions accross the state. During the 2023-24 school year, our teaching artists implemented 1,712 programs at 184 different partner institutions, serving 65,446 students, 4,288 educators, and 2,191 families. These programs are grounded in social and emotional Learning and culturally responsive teaching, and support student self-expression and community building.