Massachusetts has passed the landmark Creative Challenge Index legislation and it was recently signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick.  As many readers know, most schools have been evaluated solely using standardized tests in ELA, math, and science.  This legislation will also now evaluate schools on the opportunities they give students for developing creativity and innovation through the arts or any appropriate subject.

In the coming year, the Creative Challenge Index provision will create a commission of legislators, educators, business leaders, and community leaders to establish an index to measure the extent to which schools provide opportunities for students to engage in creative work. The index will examine and rate every public school in the Commonwealth on the teaching, encouraging, and fostering of creativity in students through arts education, debate clubs, science fairs, theater performances, concerts, film-making, and independent research. From their findings, the commission will develop the Creative Challenge Index which in turn will be used to encourage greater creativity in our public schools.

Arts|Learning executive director, Jonathan Rappaport, testified a year ago during hearings conducted by the education committee of the MA legislature as the arts expert.  Arts|Learning is thrilled that this work has reached this conclusion.  First kudos to MA Representative Daniel Bosley and Senator Stan Rosenberg for their co-author sponsorship of the initial petition for this legislation, Governor Deval Patrick for his support and leadership on the critical issue of developing creativity in our students, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo for their leadership in recognizing the importance of creative work in our schools, and 59 co-sponsors in the MA legislature.