McAllen ISD is one of just 68 school districts in Texas to earn the Texas Art Education Association 2023 District of Distinction Award. This is the fourth straight year McAllen ISD has earned this honor, placing the district in the top 5.5 percent of school districts in the state.
“We are excited TAEA has recognized the creativity and hard work of our dedicated teachers and talented students,” McAllen ISD Acting Superintendent Dr. Rosalba De Hoyos said. “Our community takes a lot of pride in both the visual arts and fine arts.”
For the 2023 award, more than 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.
“McAllen ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Sandra Newton, chairwoman 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.”
Ongoing Recognitions
TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. This is the fifth year that TAEA has honored districts that met rigorous criteria based on data.
“The visual arts provide an avenue for our students to channel their imagination,” McAllen ISD Fine Arts Director Debra Loya said. “Our visual arts students have consistently earned distinctions at both the regional and state level for years.”
Since 2013, McAllen ISD’s Fine Arts Department has also been designated as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
It is one of the few districts that offers a comprehensive fine arts program that includes award-winning band, choir, orchestra, mariachi, theatre arts, visual arts and dance programs. In addition, degreed and certified music teachers teach elementary students from kindergarten through fifth grade. High school advanced placement courses are currently offered in music theory and visual arts.
McAllen ISD will receive the honors at the TAEA Administration and Supervision Division meeting as part of the TAEA Fall Conference on Nov. 17.
TAEA is the largest state professional organization for art educators in the United States. It is the mission of TAEA to promote quality visual arts education through leadership, advocacy, service, and professional development.