3. There is established in the Department of Education the “Arts Create Excellent Schools (ACES) Pilot Program” to be administered by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to the provisions of this act. The department shall consult with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in the Department of State in the operation and administration of the program. The program shall provide for the development of three model schools which incorporate an innovative arts-infused curriculum into the student learning process. The model schools, which shall be developed through organizational partnerships including State and local government agencies and the private sector, shall have the following goals:

a. to prepare students for educational achievement by developing imagination, reasoning, judgment and the critical thinking skills necessary for problem solving and decision making;

b. to develop an arts-infused curriculum based on interdisciplinary and thematic units;

c. to broaden the role of the teacher through staff development to include such diverse roles as instructor, coach, mentor and exemplar;

d. to improve student performance as determined by standard measures and alternative assessment strategies;

e. to enhance student self-concept as determined by measures of self-esteem;

f. to encourage understanding of traditional, local and diverse cultures;

g. to integrate school activities with professional and community based arts organizations; and

h. to further evaluate and research arts education.

L.1996,c.117,s.3.