FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 15, 2014
BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus has been competitively selected as a finalist to present at Florida State University’s Community College Futures Assembly in Orlando, FL on Monday, January 27, 2014. Ivy Tech-Bloomington’s program, Educational Arts Partnership: Increasing school readiness in the community college ‘Class of 2025,’ was selected among nine other community college finalists nationwide, in the Instructional Programs and Services category. The Futures Assembly received more than 400 entries total from community colleges across the U.S.
The selected program, Educational Arts Partnership: Increasing school readiness in the community college ‘Class of 2025,’ is a partnership of Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus and Fairview Elementary, An Artful Learning School, in Bloomington. The college supplements preschool curriculum with visual and theatrical arts instructional methods. Children create and experience art, and the elementary school has seen marked improved outcomes in Individual Growth and Development Indicators measured against a control group not receiving arts infused lessons.
School readiness, particularly in Title I schools is a national and local priority, with an emphasis on an Indiana graduation attainment of 60 percent by 2025, starting a meaningful educational relationship with the future student body could prove critical in meeting that goal.
“Ivy Tech-Bloomington is pleased to be recognized again nationally for our educational partnerships, this one in particular with Fairview Elementary School,” said Chancellor John Whikehart. “Receiving the prestigious nomination for the 2014 Futures Assembly Bellwether Award is further recognition of the important work that Ivy Tech-Bloomington is doing in the community, and the work we’re doing to secure potential future community college graduates.”
Presenters at the Bellwether Futures Assembly conference include; Jennie Vaughan, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Ivy Tech-Bloomington; Gustave Weltsek, Ph.D., Theatre Faculty, Ivy Tech-Bloomington; Jeffery Allen, Executive Director, Center for Lifelong Learning, Ivy Tech-Bloomington; and Lynne Hall, Title 1 Preschool Teacher, Fairview Elementary – An Artful Learning School.
The Community College Futures Assembly, celebrating the 20th anniversary this year, convenes annually as an independent national policy forum for key opinion leaders to work as a “think tank” in identifying critical issues facing the future of community colleges, and to recognize Bellwether Finalist colleges as trend-setting institutions.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
