CONGRESSMAN TIM MURPHY TO VISIT THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH IN HONOR OF $28,000 SCHOLARSHIP FOR CANONSBURG RESIDENT

On Monday, July 9, 2007 at 3:30 pm, Congressman Tim Murphy will join The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's President George Pry in recognizing the scholarship achievements of Alexa Melone, a recent graduate of Canon McMillan High School, for her national first place performance in The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts 2007 Poster Design Competition.

To view a complete listing of each of the 31 finalists and their poster designs and for more information about The Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts Poster Design Competition, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/poster

POINT PARK UNIVERSITY'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP CENTER (COPC) AND FOCUS ON RENEWAL PRESENT "CREATIVE EXPLOSION," A PERFORMANCE BENEFIT FOR THE STO-ROX CULTURAL ARTS CENTER.

An infusion of Hip Hop and Jazz dance elements, rhythmic drumming and theatrical sketches will result in a "Creative Explosion" of artistic expression on the stage of the Sto-Rox High School auditorium.

The summer workshops are a preview of the programming that will be offered at the Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center, which is scheduled to open later this year. With more than 40 participating children and adults, the immediate benefits of the summer programs are unmistakable because it offers an opportunity to stay active and to grow creatively and artistically while supporting the arts in McKees Rocks and our region.

What: Performance Benefit for the Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center

When: Friday July 20, 2007 at 7pm

Where: Sto-Rox High School Auditorium, 1107 Valley Street in McKees Rocks

Cost: Admission is $4; free for children ages 12 and younger

For more information, please contact Pat Moran, Executive Director of the Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center at 412-771-6460.

MEETING THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES STANDARDS
On January 16, 2003, the Pennsylvania State Board adopted the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities. Districts had until fall, 2004 to implement standards-based curriculum.
The Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities provide us with a new window of opportunity to focus local attention on the importance of the arts. But it won't be an easy task. Arts educators, classroom teachers, administrators and parents will need to work together to ensure quality arts for the children and youth. The first step is to develop a clear understanding of the standards.
The Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities are now part of the Chapter 4 Curriculum Regulations. Let us now embrace them as an opportunity to strengthen arts education throughout the commonwealth.

Here are some useful links on the topic:

PA Standards for Art and Humanities - Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/lib/stateboard_ed/pdfarts.pdf

Download AEC's User Friendly Introduction to the
Pennsylvania Standards for the Arts and Humanities

Download color pdf booklet

Download simple text version pdf

National Standards in the Arts

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teach/standards.cfm

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
Passage of a new framework for the federal role in public education has both opened opportunities and raised questions related to arts education. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) was reauthorized by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The law is the basis for most federal funding for the nations schools.
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 includes in almost every section of the law support and assistance for "core academic subjects." The No Child Left Behind Act's definition of core academic subjects includes the arts.
The arts have equal status with reading, math, science and all other disciplines. The definition could lead to huge improvement in national education policy. The act requires states to develop plans to improve student achievement and requires "challenging academic standards." This means that whenever federal education programs (such as teacher training, school reform and technology programs) are targeted to "core academic subjects," the arts may be eligible to receive funds.

Here are some useful links on the topic:

No Child Left Behind legislation from the US Department of Education

http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml?src=pb

No Subject Left Behind: A Guide to Arts Education Opportunities in the 2001 Education Act
April 2002 report from the Arts Education Partnership
http://aep-arts.org/PDF%20Files/NoSubjectLeftBehind.pdf

The 35th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward The Public Schools
By Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k0309pol.htm
pdf version
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k0309pol.pdf

Boehner Challenges Conclusions of Phi Delta Kappa Poll on No Child Left Behind Act.
Aug 20, 2003 Press Release from The Committee on Education and the Workforce, John Boehner, chair.
http://edworkforce.house.gov/press/press108/08aug/poll082003.htm

Music Education Being "Left Behind"
September 2003 Education Update article
http://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2003/sept03/issue/mad_leftbehind.html

Good News, Bad News, Good News
by Sarah Tambucci, Ph.D., AEC Executive Director

So…the arts are recognized as core academic content in the No Child Left Behind legislation. So…all teachers, including those who teach the arts are to be ‘highly proficient’ by 2006. So…the use of federal funding is more flexible and can be used to support core academic content areas (including the arts).
But what is really happening here, there, and it appears, everywhere? There are reports of arts programs that are being marginalized across the country. Even programs with long traditions of success and demonstrated excellence are prey to the looming albatross. Many report that NCLB is dramatically affecting the sheer existence of the arts as part of a quality, comprehensive education.
What gets tested, gets taught, seems to be the law of the land.
But we are a vocal bunch, we arts educators, and we believe that the arts must not merely survive but should thrive as part of a comprehensive education for all students-not just the talented.
And so, it seems, we have been heard. In July, Secretary of Education Rod Paige sent a letter to every superintendent in the country emphasizing the value of the arts and ‘setting the record straight’ that endangered arts education programs because of No Child Left Behind “is both disturbing and just plain wrong.” (Read the letter in its entirety and find additional resources at www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/040701.html)
This is strong language in support of arts education from the federal level. Our role is to reinforce that message at the state, local and classroom level. Our job is to provide concrete examples of the value of arts education. Our mission is to foster student creativity and achievement in, with and through the arts.

We’ve got a lot of work to do.

TEACHER PROFICIENCY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
High quality professional development for educators and artists that is enlightening, motivating and relevant is key to supporting quality arts education.

Here are some useful links on the topic:

Arts Education Collaborative Professional Development Survey Report
Spring 2005
View PDF

More Information Would Help States Determine Which Teachers Are Highly Qualified
July 2003 report from the US General Accounting Office
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03631.pdf

The Emergence of the Teaching Artist
May 2003 Eric Booth article in Art Times
http://arttimesjournal.com/speakout/mayspeakout.htm

ARTS FUNDING
Knowledge of fiscal issues related to the arts and arts education provide a basis for understanding and responding to the fiscal climate. Funding opportunities at the local, regional and national level can enhance programs in the arts.

Here are some useful links on the topic:

American's for the Arts Policy and Advocacy News

http://ww3.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocacy/weekly_headlines/default.asp

Beyond the 1990s' "Culture Wars"

July 27, 2004, Business Week

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Dioia explains his mission to bring the arts back to the American mainstream.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2004/nf20040727_5856_db028.htm

The Foundation Center Arts Funding Watch
http://fdncenter.org/afw/

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