| (from page 7 of the NCLB Act of 2001) THE ARTS ARE A CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECT 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. In this respect, the arts have equal billing with reading, math, science, and other disciplines. And this definition could lead to a huge improvement in national education policy. 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. It�s the Law The definition of core subjects in the new law is located in Title IX, Part A, Section 9101 (1)(D)(11), Definitions. Here is how the definition reads: `(11) CORE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS- The term `core academic subjects' means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography. The definition of core academic subjects is included in the glossary of the bill, which tells local and state education decision-makers how to interpret the concepts used throughout the Act. However, these decision-makers may not be aware that the arts are identified as a core subject in the Act and, as a result, may be unaware that many types of federal education funds may be used for arts education. The law does not include a definition of what the arts encompass as an academic discipline. It should be noted, however, that the national standards for the arts include standards for dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Furthermore in 1997, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) arts assessment was developed with separate assessments in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Note that the dance assessment was not administered because an appropriate sample of students could not be identified. (For more information, see http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ about the NAEP assessment process.) Be Vigilant and Take Action 1. Speak up as local and state education agencies determine how to allocate their federal funds and prepare their education plans. 2. Determine whether or not your state recognizes the arts as a core subject. � The majority of states consider dance, music, theater and visual arts in their definition. Other states limit these subjects, and some states include other subject areas such as culinary arts, media arts, or forensics. Check with your state to determine its definition, or visit the State Arts Education Policy Database on the Arts Education Partnership website at www.aep-arts.org to find out more about the arts education policies in your state. 3. Tell local and state decision makers that � the Congress, White House, and U.S. Department of Education have recognized the arts as one of the core academic subjects; � learning in and through the arts contributes to overall student achievement; and � federal funds for boosting student achievement and teacher preparation can be used for the arts. |
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| THE ART ROOM |