October 2009
Report Reveals Principals are Key to Arts Education
October 2009-ArtsEd Digest | New research from ArtsEd Washington, a member of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, shows that supporting principals is a highly effective method to increase access to arts education in our schools.
ArtsEd Washington has released the results of its in-depth evaluation of Principals’ Arts Leadership (PAL), the organization’s signature program. In Anchoring Arts Education: Principals’ Arts Leadership, evaluators found increased access to arts education and its benefits, regardless of the school’s size or socioeconomic composition.
Principals credited the scaffolded planning process, peer-to-peer support, and access to ArtsEd Washington’s expertise as powerful contributors to increasing arts learning in their schools.
The report, supported in part by The Kennedy Center, also spotlights best practices from five PAL schools identified as having a growing focus on arts in academics and the creative lives of students. Creating and maintaining leadership and leadership focus was crucial. The study assessed the PAL program in 16 elementary schools across the state.
ArtsEd Washington is a non-profit organization working to ensure that arts learning is available to every student in Washington State, in every year of their K-12 education. To read the full report or the executive summary and to learn more about the PAL program, visit www.ArtsEdWashington.org.
Duncan Wants Matching Funds for $650 Million in Aid
October 6, 2009 - Bloombery.com | School districts and nonprofit groups would have to team up with private-sector organizations to qualify for $650 million in stimulus grants under guidelines proposed by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Private partners such as philanthropic groups would have to provide matching donations equal to at least 20 percent of each federal grant under the proposal, posted today on the Education Department’s Web site.
All school districts and nonprofits, including charter- school organizations, will have a chance to compete for part of the $650 million, known as the Investing in Innovation fund, Duncan said on a conference call with reporters. “Some will find ways to establish a network of new schools or develop models to turn around low-performing schools,” he said. “Others will find new ways to use technology. Others might explore how to engage children in the arts.” More...
First Lady Michelle Obama at CAPA High School
Saturday, September 26, 2009 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette | The halls of Pittsburgh's Creative and Performing Arts School rang with the sweet sounds of cello, guitar, percussion and excited young voices yesterday as the school's students put on a musical display of their talents for first lady Michelle Obama and the wives of the G-20 summit leaders.
At times, though, it sounded like a rock concert for all the shrieks and screams, first when Mrs. Obama was introduced to the students by Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Mark Roosevelt, and later when three well-known musical artists -- cellist Yo-Yo Ma, country singer Trisha Yearwood and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles -- were brought on stage to perform with some of the students. For the entire Pittsburgh Post Gazette article go here.
Transcript of First Lady Michelle Obama's Spech at CAPA
(Courtesy of The White House Press Office)
MRS. OBAMA: Good morning! (Applause.) How are you all doing today?
AUDIENCE: Good!
MRS. OBAMA: This has been a great morning for us. Don't we think, my fellow spouses? What do we think of these students? (Applause.) Bravo!
Thank you so much, Melissa, thank you for that wonderful introduction, thank you for introducing my fellow spouses. And Melissa, thank you for your tireless work, your inspired leadership, and your unflagging devotion to the students here at CAPA. You have every reason to be proud. More...
For a video of the First Lady giving this speech, click here.
10 Ways to Improve Arts Education for All Students in Your Community
August 17, 2009 - Americans for the Arts | Education is often a political issue. Thousands of adults from the feds to the states to school districts and school buildings make decisions every day that determine what a child learns—or doesn’t—in the classroom. Because of this complicated pathway, No Child Left Behind, and the perception that the arts aren’t “core subjects” (which they are), students often need our help to get access to arts education.
that outlines list of 10 things youAmericans for the Arts have released a white paper, "10 Ways to Improve Arts Education for All Students in Your Community," that outlines 10 things that you can do to help the children and youth in your community
gain and retain access to a great arts education. To find this white paper, go here.
Secretary of Education's Letter to School and Education Community Leaders
August 2009 | In August, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent a letter to school and education community leaders that outlined his support for arts education. In addition, the Secretary noted a number of resources that are currently available to help develop arts education programs and support professional development opportunities for educators around the arts. To read a copy of the letter, go here.
