The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) released its newest report on the Partnering Arts, Communities, and Education (PACE) program written by Dr. F. Robert Sabol of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. The PACE 2016-2017 Project Report reflects a collection of data on student growth in six elementary schools across the state over the past two years, during which time students received a year-long intensive arts education program. The report looks at multiple key skills and knowledge points of the students including student self-image, engagement in learning, vocabulary development, and writing skills. The report shows the PACE program model has steady, promising results for students across the board. The PACE program model introduces local arts professionals into the classroom once a week for the entire school year connecting art with language art lessons. Teachers who have been involved for several years find benefit in the arts activities as well as the social-emotional development for their students. Schools that are currently participating in the PACE program are located in South Bend, Michigan City, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, and Nashville, Indiana. All schools participating in the PACE program meet eligibility criteria of high percentages of free and reduced lunches and below state average of the percentage of students passing ISTEP. Four PACE grants are available for the 2018-2019 school year with priority given to eligible schools in the areas of Lafayette and surrounding counties, Columbus and surrounding counties, Jeffersonville and surrounding counties, and Evansville and surrounding counties. For more information check out in.gov/arts .