California Arts Council Arts Education Programs example essay topic

There are some issues that should be discussed (as the importance of inter arts instruction or creative writing in the arts); at present there is no doubt that art classes are a real opportunity to increase the level of education and make it available for all. Arts education policy includes series of measures provided by a governing body: school boards, state legislatures and federal government. These organizations take decisions as to arts programming, facilities, instruction, curricula, and funding. Arts education policy implemented at the national, state, and local levels.

In 1994, Educate America Act was passed. According to the Act, the arts were adopted as Federal law and were pronounced a core academic subject in public schools. At the same year the National Arts Standards were set by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations. There were standards for K-12 students who study visual art, dance, theater, and music.

Taking into account those standards, almost all state departments of education established their own models. Many states followed mandated arts education policy. It includes specifics on curriculum, and standards; that's why state arts education policy differs. At the local level school boards play an important role in designing educational policy. School boards should take into account state mandates and community needs.

Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Arts were responsible for funding for arts education as well as for funding for arts education programming. The decision, as to the implementation of the Act about arts education, took into account different points of view: parents', administrators', and school board leaders'. A great number of research initiatives have been provided and published. The publication Authentic Connections: Interdisciplinary Work in the Arts was published in 2002 and was designed with the purpose to give a support to educators in interdisciplinary work and to show how the arts can be taught with integrity through interdisciplinary content standards.

It is a helpful work for arts teachers. Earlier, in 2001, the California Arts Council published Current Research in Arts Education, describing a compilation of research that connects the arts to improved student learning. The Arts in Education Program was designed by the California Arts Council with the purpose to expand role of arts education by using artists and community arts resources in partnership with public schools. The main goal of the work was the establishment of arts education for all students, including students with disabilities. The California Arts Council Arts Education programs consist of the California Creativity Forum, the Local Arts Education Partnership Program, Artists in Residence, Arts Partnerships for Education etc. Arts in education research is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for policymakers, educators, arts leaders, business leaders, foundation officers, and parents as they plan to make arts education basic to the education of all students.