Jellybean Conspiracy through June 2006
Summary and Evaluations

2006 SUMMARY & EVALUATION

The first part of the 2006 Accessible Arts, Inc. (AAI) arts in education project was entitled Rhythm Weaving. This interactive music/movement workshop was presented to Hiawatha and Pittsburg, Kansas Middle School students. The second part of the project, Families with a Beat, was a drumming/singing workshop for families that explored diversity issues. The third component benefited community arts agencies by giving them best practices on how to make their facilities and arts programming more inclusive and accessible to children with disabilities. Arts agencies and Kansas Arts Commission grant recipients, in both surrounding communities respectively, attended the Creating Arts for All workshop. All three workshops were made possible by grants from the Kansas Arts Commission and VSA arts.

These workshops made up the educational component of a larger project entitled, The Jellybean Conspiracy. The Jellybean Conspiracy created partnerships between high school theatre and special education departments to produce The Jellybean Conspiracy Play. The play helped students develop an appreciation for all people, especially those with disabilities. The middle school students were bused in to see matinees at the high schools. Members of the surrounding communities also attended public performances in the evenings. The Rhythm Weaving and Families with a Beat workshops reinforced themes from the play and Creating Arts for All taught inclusion. The workshops reached 707 students and 229 adults.

To measure the outcomes, an independent artist/educator observed and assessed the workshops using Kansas Arts Commission assessment forms. Our staff administered evaluation surveys to students, teachers and families attending the workshops. Audience members were also surveyed after seeing the play. The following are highlights of the assessed outcomes.

RHYTHM WEAVING WORKSHOP (Middle School Students)
Outcome: To demonstrate an involvement in music as a source of creative expression and personal fulfillment.

Objective: Child will demonstrate full engagement in rhythm, music and movement.

Indicator: Child will follow directions given by workshop artist/educators.

• 85% were deemed “Proficient” by assessor
  Indicator: Child will be fully engaged while participating in a music ensemble.
• 88% were deemed “Proficient” by assessor
• The teacher survey asked, “Were the students fully engaged in the rhythm, music and movement?” 100% of the teachers responded, “Absolutely” or “Most of the time”
• The teacher survey asked, “Did the students have fun?” 100% of the teachers responded, “Absolutely” or “Most of the time”
• The student survey asked, “Did you have fun?” 71% of the students responded, “I loved it” or “A lot”

Objective: Child will consistently maintain a rhythm pattern.

Indicator: Child will sustain an 'ostinato pattern' in a rhythmic ensemble with his or her peers in a group demonstration.

• 86% were deemed “Proficient” by assessor
• The teacher survey asked, “Were the students able to consistently maintain a rhythm pattern?” 100% of the teachers responded, “Most of the time”

Outcome: To demonstrate the potential of music to integrate and enhance all forms of learning including character education.

Objective: Child will demonstrate tolerance and respect while interacting with children
of different abilities.

• 67% were deemed “Proficient” by assessors

Outcome: To recognize the potential of the arts to affect social interaction.

Objective: Child will demonstrate a better understanding of children with disabilities.

Indicator: Child will respond to post-event questionnaires that indicate growth in
their understanding of children with different abilities.

• The student survey asked, "Did you learn more about people with disabilities?" 70% of the students said “A whole lot” or “Pretty much.”
• The teacher survey asked, “Did the program help the students gain a better understanding of children with disabilities?” 92% of the teachers responded, “Well done!” or “A good amount”

FAMILIES WITH A BEAT SURVEY RESPONSES (Families-people of all ages)
Did the participants have fun?
•96% of the participants responded “Absolutely.”
Was the program presented in a professional, engaging manner
•94% of the participants responded “Well done”
Did the participants gain a better understanding of diversity and people of all abilities?
•84% of the participants responded “Well done” or “A good amount.”
Was the program appropriately accessible for all participants?
•94% of the participants responded “Well done.”
What was the best part of the program?
•“Audience interaction.” “Letting all participants use different instruments.”
•“Being here with my child.” “It was a great family experience!”
•“The energy!” “Interaction-just fun!”

CREATING ARTS FOR ALL WORKSHOP (Arts administrators, educators, etc.)

•91% of the participants rated the overall training as “Excellent.”
•92% of the participants rated the knowledge of the presenters as “Excellent.”
•79% of the participants said they received “Excellent Useful Tools.”
•95% of the participants rated the programming adaptations for children with disabilities as “Useful” or “Extremely Useful.”

GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE JELLYBEAN CONSPIRACY PROJECT

•“Theatre is the window to the soul and many souls in the audience and cast/crew were touched and changed forever. What you're doing with the young people is a blessing.” University Communications Teacher.

•“I have been re-energized with the knowledge that our students are now going to reach new heights because of Jellybean. My hope is that [the] effect will carry over into the community, opening new doors of opportunity and fostering a new level of acceptance.” High School Special Education Teacher.

•The public audiences who saw the play were polled as they left the theatre.
When asked if they enjoyed the show, 92% responded “Absolutely.”
When asked if they learned more about people with disabilities, 85% responded “Absolutely” or “Pretty much.”