A Circle of Friends: Re-envisioning Art Learning and Individual Difference in the Classroom

Abstract

Two critical aspects of providing equity and excellence in education for all children are 1) how we perceive individual differences and 2) how we assess students' talents and abilities. In this chapter, I will provide an overview of the historical antecedents that have shaped our current policies and practices related to art learning and individual difference, and suggest that a fundamental shift in perception is needed; away from the deficit model toward an asset model; away from a culture based on perceived limitations toward a culture of presumed competency.