CA puts arts in schools!

Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997
From: Bob Morrison
Subject: AMC Music-News 11/21

In This Issue of Music-News:

"California Education Chief Unveils Plan to Restore Arts Education"

A story in the Thursday (11/20) Los Angeles Times reported on a plan to bring arts education back to California schools. "Saying that a revitalized commitment to the arts can help strengthen California's economy, state education chief Delaine Eastin vowed Wednesday to make visual and performing arts education a priority in public schools" writes reporter ERIKA CHAVEZ.

"The lack of attention to arts education has been the silent crisis in California schools for too long," Eastin said. "It is time to turn that crisis into a renaissance."

Eastin outlined a seven-year plan to increase funding and academic requirements for arts education. Developed by a special task force, the report issued five recommendations:

* Incorporating dance, music, theater and the visual arts into the core curriculum for all students.

* Providing statewide content and performance standards in the visual and performing arts as students progress from preschool to 12th grade.

* Offering career awareness, exploration, orientation and preparation experiences.

* Providing every student with an arts education program including access to the arts through technology and in the community.

* Developing an action plan that supports the implementation of arts programs in public schools.

The report also called for the state to adopt a requirement that each student take at least one course in the visual or performing arts to graduate from high school.

"Plan to Boost Arts in Schools Unveiled Education: State schools chief calls lack of such classes the 'silent crisis.' By ERIKA CHAVEZ,
Times Staff Writer is available at:

http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/LEARNING/THURSDAY/t000105035.htm

Bob Morrison
American Music Conference
http://www.amc-music.com