How can you know if your state’s public schools are providing equitable and integrated education in the arts? Here’s a radical thought: actually ask them. That’s the conclusion of a cluster of state and nonprofit representatives in New Jersey, who have just launched a study of arts programming in the public schools (or see it here in an AP story). Says the release:
Officials from the Department of Education said the partnership will provide schools, policymakers, and community leaders with an analysis of arts education while at the same time providing schools and communities with tools and resources to strengthen student learning in the arts. “An in-depth analysis of the school data will help the Department of Education and its project partners understand the level of student involvement with the arts, help to identify model programs across the state, and facilitate the alignment of resources to strengthen student learning of New Jersey’s visual and performing arts CCCS,” said David Miller, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Beyond the data gathered from the effort, the study is an important symbol that arts education is at least worthy of being measured in our increasingly metric-centric public education system. Keep an eye on New Jersey to see if counting leads to change.
