Using the arts as a methodology for learning mathematics, science, social studies, literacy, and other subject areas is the program content. By learning to use the arts, teachers and students discover that the arts express and communicate ideas in an aesthetic context and thus a greater understanding and appreciation is developed for the subject matter. Using the arts as a medium for instruction offers students a forum for translating ideas and creating representations and metaphors for specific understandings.
Translation is essential to intellectual and emotional development.
The CCAE hired eight arts coaches. These coaches serve as an artistic support person for ten teachers at each school. They spend one hour a week with each teacher with the mission of adding the arts into the existing curriculum. Then the coaches meet weekly with Merryl Goldber, Ed. The mentor sites increased from four sites to seven sites.