Creativity on the Educational Scene

By Don Treffinger

Originally appeared in the International Creativity Network Newsletter, volume 6, number 1, 1996, pages 4-7, 10-11.

Florida, along with many other states, is heavily involved in promoting school reform and restructuring in all schools. The state's plan, known as Blueprint 2000, identifies seven important goals. Goal Three focuses directly on teaching and learning. This goal includes a specific standard regarding creativity: that every student, in every school in the state, will have the opportunity to learn and apply strategies for creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making. All schools have been challenged to create School Advisory Councils, to develop specific action plans for meeting the goals. Because many schools include Goal Three as a major aspect of their initial planning, there is increasing interest and concern for incorporating creativity into the teaching and learning experiences.

The Florida Department of Education has also supported a new project in which prototype materials have been developed for a course for teachers on Theory and Development of Creativity. The course will become part of endorsement requirements for teachers in the gifted/talented area, but can also be offered for parents, administrators or teachers at all levels. The new course materials have been created by a team from the Center for Creative Learning, the University of South Florida and the Manatee County Schools. The course is now undergoing pilot testing in approximately 12 sites throughout the state. It includes five major units, addressing the nature and definition of creativity; characteristics associated with creativity; the context or environment for creativity; methods, techniques and programs for encouraging creativity in the classroom; and, understanding and assessing creative products and outcomes. Although the complete set of materials is not yet available for distribution outside the field test sites, we would be happy to communicate with any colleagues who are interested in learning more about the project and the materials.

Contact Information: Don Treffinger, Center for Creative Learning, 4152 Independence Court, Suite C-7, Sarasota FL 34234.