What’s on the Dallas ISD exams for elementary-school art, band and PE?
Dallas ISD parents and teachers have rallied in recent months against new tests the district requires elementary-school students to take in art, band and physical education.
At Thursday’s school board briefing, several trustees urged Superintendent Mike Miles to consider eliminating the tests. Parents have said their children are stressed about them and are spending too much time preparing for them and taking them instead of learning.
Dallas ISD has required students to take the district exams for years. But under Miles, the district has expanded them to the elective courses in elementary school, including in kindergarten art class
What’s on the district exam, called the “Assessment of Course Performance, or ACP?
Kindergarten Art
1. Create artworks using a variety of lines, shapes, colors, textures, and forms.
First-grade Music
1. Sing tunefully, including rhythmic and melodic patterns, independently.
Second-grade PE
1. Travel independently in a large group while safely and quickly changing speed and direction.
2. Demonstrate mature form in skipping.
3. Demonstrate balance in symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes from different basis of support.
4. Demonstrate smooth transition from one body part to the next in rolling activities such as log roll.
5. Demonstrate on cue key elements of foot dribble.
Third-grade Art
1. Integrate ideas drawn from life experiences to create original works of art.
2. Create compositions using the elements of art and principles of design.
Fourth-grade Music
1. Sing with accurate intonation and rhythm, independently.
Fifth-grade PE
1. Demonstrate smooth combinations of fundamental locomotor skills such as hop-step-jump.
2. Demonstrate controlled balance on a variety of objects such as scooters.
3. Combine traveling and rolling with smooth transitions.
4. Movement: Demonstrate competence in manipulative skills in dynamic situations such as overhand throw.