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When we talk about intrinsic choice, deep learning, integrated, project-based learning we are not really talking about new ideas. For years innovative educators have known that engaging students and developing a basis for the love of learning is an essential cornerstone to creating life long learners. These learning practices have been proven strategies in helping students to experience the joy of learning.

How We Know This Works

The Dynamic Arts (DA)  was created by one of those innovative educators, Pat Clifford. In the early 90’s Pat developed a program to teach special education, adjudicated and at risk students using integrated arts. As a way to get students engaged he shared his love of pottery with his students.  Imparting with them all the dimensions and details about what clay was, where it came from and how it could be used to create beauty and art, he taught them math, science, history, literature and more. Through this integrated process he saw his students bloom. From that passion came a whole program (The Everett Alternative Integrated Arts High School) where students practiced art. From radio shows, theater productions,county restoration projects to glass works and more, Pat’s students were immersed in learning.  Bells were removed from the school and the whole atmosphere became one of artists creating. The classrooms were redesigned and renamed studios and at the end of the day he could hardly get the students to go home. “I often had to kick them out the door” he says with a big grin.

Real Accountability

 Pat knew that this approach would cover all the rigors and relevance necessary for getting his students into higher education if they chose.  At that time getting into college and graduating from high school demanded passing Washington State’s WASL Tests. Testing was definitely not what Pat taught. Most of his administrators at the beginning were afraid. The students however proved them wrong and Everett Alternative High School students achieved many things, including having some of the highest WASL scores in the Everett School District.

Essentially Pat’s students succeeded in learning about themselves, about life, what they loved and where they wanted to go. They became self-aware individuals ready to take on life outside of high school.  They learned that they were the ones who ultimately had to choose their course. Their understanding of what they had learned gave them a foundation that served them then and into their futures.

Today this is called deep learning.

Transforming Into The Future

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 Pat and The Dynamic Arts Team have now evolved the DA platforms to suit today’s needs. Students, parents, educators and the community are ready for a totally new landscape of change. The doors are  wide open for the vision and growth (that Pat saw possible back then) to be achieved now. The  foundation of Pat's vision has evolved and today there is so much more that is possible. Through the trial and error of experience, Pat has created a curriculum that can serve in public schools around the nation.  His knowledge, expertise and understanding of how public education operates and how it can be transformed is invaluable in moving our educational system forward. The Dynamic Arts has a strong foundation of attainment and a vision of future success for students everywhere!