Advocates have long fought for equity in arts learning, making the case for arts as core and not “special” curriculum. These cries were heard when the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gave states the opportunity to expand student access to quality instruction in the visual and performing arts. This issue of the State Education Standard gives state policymakers good reasons to pay attention to the depth and breadth of instruction their schools offer in music, drama, theater, dance, and media arts—all key components of students’ well-rounded education.
The Art of Early Childhood Education
By Eleanor D. BrownArts integration shows promise for school readiness, emotion regulation, and stress reduction in the youngest, most vulnerable students.
How Arts Education Supports Social-Emotional Development: A Theory of Action
By Camille Farrington and Steve ShewfeltInstructional practices rooted in action and reflection could transform how all disciplines build students' competencies.
Advancing Arts Education in Arizona
By Catherine "Rusty" FoleyArizona leverages partnerships, ESSA funding, and a diploma seal to bolster equitable access to arts learning.
Arts in Turnaround Strategies
By Valerie NorvilleA+ Schools and Turnaround Arts schools commit to a model of school improvement.
Using Arts Data to Match Community Organizations to School Needs
By Valerie NorvilleSix communities follow Chicago's lead in developing arts education census data and maps.
Using ESSA to Leverage Arts Education Policy
By Lynn TuttleSeveral states are using ESSA to increase access and quality in arts instruction.
The ESSA Arts Indicator in Illinois: A Study in the Art of Policymaking
By Jonathan VanderBrugArts educators bring creativity and process expertise to their work on statewide accountability.
The Role of Arts Integration and Education in Improving Student Outcomes
By Yinmei Wan, Meredith Ludwig, Andrea Boyle and Jim LindsayIf research is to inform state policy, important gaps in research should be filled.
Expanding Access to High-Quality Arts Instruction
By Mary Dell'ErbaAdvancing research and innovative policies can move states toward universal access to a quality arts education.
Opinion
We the Media: Social Media Policy for State Boards
By Renée Rybak LangThe World War II-era posters asserting that “Loose Lips Sink Ships” reminded the public that careless talk could undermine the war effort. Fast forward to today, with more people, including public officials, taking to social media to opine on any number of subjects, an apt advertisement might read, “Loose Tweets Sink Fleets.”
The NASBE Interview: Gigi Antoni
By Gigi AntoniFor 21 years, Gigi Antoni led Big Thought in Dallas, a nonprofit focused on overcoming the opportunity gap for children in poverty. For her work in expanding access to arts learning, in 2011 she was named by President Barack Obama a Champion of Change for Arts Education. Since 2017, she has been director of learning […]
NCSBEE Voice: Arts
By John-Paul Hayworth and Image of Alicia WilliamsAll too often, arts programs are the first on the chopping block when schools struggle financially. Some states, however, are requiring schools to provide arts-related information on their statewide school report card.
From the President’s Pen: Evaluating the State Chief
By Robert HullEven more widely varied than how a state board is assembled is its scope of authority, with a few being solely advisory and others totally independent. All state boards have three primary levers: the powers of policy, convening, and questioning.
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