The South Carolina Arts Assessment Program

This chapter describes the music assessment for the South Carolina Arts Assessment Program (SCAAP) and the cycle of continual improvement used in the development and maintenance of the assessment. The SCAAP is a state-level arts assessment program that has been in operation for more than 10 years. The chapter describes the history and development of all aspects of the assessment. Then, the chapter reviews the analyses undertaken each year as part of the assessment cycle, including a review of the results from the most recent administration of the assessment. After discussing the development and technical characteristics of the assessment, the chapter reviews some of the investigations that the assessment developers have undertaken using the music assessment. Finally, the chapter describes lessons that will be beneficial to others interested in developing technically sound assessments in music.