 2nd grader used a visual metaphor to show how big her dreams are compared to herself |  5th grader shows how much her self-esteem has grown over the years |
"Not everything that matters is measurable"
-Elliot Eisner, Professor Emeritus of Education and Art at Stanford University
What have you learned in your time at school that isn't reflected in a test? Did you learn to share your art supplies, take a moment to compliment a classmate, let a friend go first, help a lost kindergartner find their classroom?
What talents do you have that were not tested? Are you a gymnast, a dancer, a basketball player, a swimmer, a musician, a filmmaker, a puzzle worker?
What have you learned about your role in the community? Do you volunteer, do you pick up litter, do you protect animals, do you conserve resources?What about you has grown that a test can't measure? Your artistic abilities, your confidence, your self-esteem, your humor, your courage, your kindness?
What talents do you have that were not tested? Are you a gymnast, a dancer, a basketball player, a swimmer, a musician, a filmmaker, a puzzle worker?
What have you learned about your role in the community? Do you volunteer, do you pick up litter, do you protect animals, do you conserve resources?What about you has grown that a test can't measure? Your artistic abilities, your confidence, your self-esteem, your humor, your courage, your kindness?
All of you matters…and some of the best parts of you are unmeasurable. Here are some examples of wonderful successes that were not measured on a test that I witnessed.
 First grade service project to raise money for storm victims |  Students made a video to help others be safe online |  The filmmakers voted to donate prize to art room for an iPad |
The learning that happens in an art room matters. Look at these spontaneous moments captured through vine video showing creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving all of which are valued in society and the workplace. The art room is a learning lab for life skills yet it should not all be measured with data. It needs to be experienced with joy!
If we can't measure it in school do we still value it? What we prioritize for children communicates value to them. If we take away the unmeasurable things in their education we are depriving them of the beauty, color, richness of life like removing all the illustrations from a book. Speaking of illustrations, view this award-winning video created by my student filmmakers and see why arts education is so vital to children.
Allow us to Illustrate from Tricia Fuglestad on Vimeo.
Art-iculation from Tricia Fuglestad on Vimeo.
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