California Alliance for Arts Education California Alliance for Arts Education HOME
 Join Us Featured News Legislative Update Action Center Upcoming Events Contact Us Site Map

CAAE

Action Center

 URGENT: Speak Out to Keep Arts in Schools

In response to the new state budget, approved February 19, 2009, public hearings are taking place at school board meetings across the state right now to determine the future of arts education in our schools. Local advocates must take immediate action at the district level.

State budget background: The new state budget approved February 19, 2009, revises the regulations that governed categorical funding for K-12 visual and performing arts education. The changes include:

 

 TALKING POINTS Regarding ARTS AND MUSIC BLOCK GRANT

ACCESS – The Arts and Music Block Grant is intended to rebuild the infrastructure of arts education in school districts so that every child may benefit from arts education.

EQUITY – Students attending high poverty schools have significantly less access to arts education than their peers in more affluent communities. The Arts and Music Block Grant is an initial investment and is only just beginning to redress the great inequities that have occurred over the past thirty years. The block grant funds are allocated on a per pupil basis, enabling arts learning opportunities at all schools for all students.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY – The arts are central to a complete education. Our students need and deserve the kind of education that will enable them to be competitive for the jobs of the 21st century. The arts cultivate those critical skills that foster innovation and creativity.

QUALITY – Districts are making progress reviving quality arts programs by hiring visual and performing arts teachers and administrators, purchasing instructional materials, and providing much needed professional development. Progress will only be sustained with time and an unwavering commitment by policymakers and education leaders to provide a complete and well-rounded education for every child, which includes access to a quality education in the arts.




 
Email