For the fourth year in a row, Ector County ISD received the District of Distinction honor from the Texas Art Educators Association (TAEA). More than 1,200 districts and learning institutions in Texas were eligible to apply for this prestigious visual art award; 96 districts met the high standards indicating recipients are among the top 5.5% of visual art programs in the state.
“Congratulations to our ECISD Art Teachers for earning the TAEA District of Distinction Award for the past four years.” said ECISD Executive Director of Fine Arts Aaron Hawley. “Their dedication, from participating in ECISD Art Shows and hosting Big Art Day events on their campuses to excelling in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE), is truly inspiring. These experiences enrich our students’ lives and make ECISD’s art program a shining success.”
The evaluation criteria for the TAEA District of Distinction award include several key components. Students must participate in significant state exhibits such as the TASA/TASB Exhibit, and the State Youth Art Month Spring Exhibition in Austin. The school district must also host at least six Big Art Day events during March and organize public district exhibitions like ECISD’s Middle School and High School Art Shows that are held each spring.
Additionally, art programs are expected to complete a minimum of 60 hours of community service projects related to art.
Art programs must also provide examples of cross-curricular lessons (incorporating art education into other subjects), workshops, and museum visits for students. Most importantly, it is crucial that teachers actively participate in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) annually. At the school board meeting on Sept. 17, ECISD will recognize 7 students who earned a rating of 4 at State VASE – which is the highest non-Gold Seal rating bestowed at the state level.
Overall, TAEA recognizes those advocating for creative learning opportunities that encourage individual growth and connect students to their peers, school, and society at large.
Currently, 8,505 students from grades 6th through 12th are involved in all ECISD fine arts programs, this includes performance and visual arts.
