This essay addresses the ethical justification for arts education as a component of equal education. The paper traces evolution of equal education opportunity ideas in general and specifically as equal opportunity for arts education. While it is currently considered inequitable to provide an arts education to some and deny it or provide it in…

A school district and community endeavor brought a fine arts facility to Byron Center, Michigan. The Van Singel Fine Arts Center includes gallery space as well as a performing arts theater. Private donations purchased pianos and the acoustical shell. Academic results in the classroom include increases in average ACT scores for 5 consecutive years.…

Basic policy questions are offered to help guide efforts to formulate policy for art education in the schools. A view of art education that is responsive to these questions and examples of policy recommendations that have not addressed basic policy considerations are discussed. The central purpose and place of the arts in education is reiterated.…

Although the term "arts education" conjures up competing images and definitions for different people, for the purposes of this policy brief, arts education is defined as incorporating four distinct subject areas: (1) music, (2) dance, (3) theater arts, and (4) visual arts, as taught by certified arts educators. The policy brief provides…

This plan for guiding arts development was evolved from input obtained through a "Canvas of the People" that involved surveys, public opinion polls, public hearings, constituent working groups, and task forces examining the artistic and cultural needs for arts in South Carolina. The plan includes goals in areas of artist development,…

The arts and humanities convey the very essence of what it means to be a human being. The arts are a basic and central medium of human communication and understanding. As such, they should occupy a central place in education. In the wake of a "back to basics" movement in the schools, the artistic heritage and opportunities to contribute…

Intended for state legislators seeking recommendations for improving arts education in Minnesota elementary and secondary schools, this executive summary presents (1) an historical perspective of comprehensive arts planning grants authorized by Minnesota statutes between 1973 and 1984; (2) needs assessment results, including findings of the…

Achievement and enrollment information for the Kansas City Middle School of the Arts (Missouri) is evaluated in this report that covers the first four years of the implementation of a magnet theme for the school. Primarily, achievement and enrollment are measured by trends in student integration and standardized test scores. The tests for which…

This document presents an updated version of a publication that originally appeared in print in 1970. The original document raised a number of issues and questions which, despite notable advances, are still problematic. In this revision, marginal notes up-date the original text with information concerning subsequent efforts to address raised…

This document profiles 11 examples of arts and education institutions across the country that are working to solve community problems. Programs, which reflect a number of purposes, are organized by category. Large Urban Profiles, include: (1) "Bridgemaking" in Chicago: Chicago Arts Partnership in Education; (2) Learning by Working: Young Artists…

The attitudes of secondary school headteachers, art teachers, and art pupils toward art education were examined, with particular focus on the factors that play an important role in the performance of pupils in the "O" level art examinations ("O" level refers to ordinary school certificate). A multiple-choice questionnaire was…

Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP) grants were awarded to 30 school districts in Minnesota to improve their arts education programs. Each district formed a community-based team of eight persons. Each team was then responsible for planning developing, and promoting comprehensive arts education within the district. Following a brief…

Describes the origin and development of the National K-12 Standards for Arts Education. Discusses issues related to the fine arts being left out of the original national standards documents. Maintains that the standards are essential if the fine arts are to maintain parity with other curriculum subject areas. (CFR)

This report examines arts engagement in ten key states in the U.S. by analyzing data from the 2002 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA). It is organized into ten state profiles that summarize key demographic characteristics, the arts landscape, and public participation in the arts. Because the regions profiled here are not a random…

Discusses formation and implementation of educational policy in an era of financial shortages. Presents four principles essential to understanding policy operation in any social setting. Concludes that there is promise for the development of policies favorable to the arts within school cultures. (CFR)