Only the top 5.5 percent of districts in the state, including Pine Tree, earned the
honor this year.
The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced
the 68 winners of the 2023 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is
Pine Tree ISD. The districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded
education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and
build social emotional learning that connects learners to their community and beyond.
TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has
previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and
districts. This is the fifth year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria
as evidenced from data.
For the 2023 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted
documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2021-2022 school year.
Only 68 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor
indicating they are in the top 5.5 percent in art education of districts in the state.
This is Pine Tree’s second consecutive year to be honored with the District of Distinction Award.
“Pine Tree ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated
visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student
growth,” said Sandra Newton, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a
division of TAEA, “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication,
and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to provide strong and
comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”
Sixty-eight districts, including Pine Tree ISD will be honored at the TAEA
Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA
Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, November 17, 2023.