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| Issue No. 8
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A publication of the Michigan Youth Arts Leadership Roundtable
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February 2010 |
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| In this issue | 2010 Policy Agenda
Michigan Youth Arts reaches out to policymakers and communities to build support for arts education in Michigan.
| ESEA Reauthorization
The new "No Child"
MCACA 2010 Grants
Applications are due February 24.
| News and Opportunities
Federal Model Development Grants, VSA Institute, Claiming Creativity in Chicago, AEP ArtsEd Digest, Edutopia Article, Interlochen Adult Courses
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Michigan Youth Arts reaches out to policymakers
Michigan Youth Arts has been working to inform educators, policymakers, government officials and grassroots organizations about the Michigan Arts Education 2010 Policy Agenda to advance arts education for all Michigan Students.
Executive Director, Kim Dabbs, presented the agenda, with Mike Latvis of ArtServe, during public comments to the State Board of Education. Kim, Mike and Drew Buchholz of Interlochen also presented to the membership of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Assocaition, the Michigan School Vocal Music Association, and the Michigan Art Education Association. Meetings with legislators and education associations continue, as we build broad-based support for providing student access, institutional accountability, and professional development for educators in arts education in Michigan.
To learn more, find out how to advocate in your community, or invite us to present to your organization, contact Kim at director@michiganyoutharts.org.
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 Arts Stakeholders Present Testimony on ESEA Reauthorization
On January 20th, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education hosted a listening and learning session with arts education stakeholders in preparation for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), referred to previously as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The meeting, hosted by Asst. Deputy Secretary of the Office of Innovation and Improvement James H. Shelton III and Carmel Martin, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, asked invited participants to share their views and suggestions on "how ESEA can be improved to ensure a quality arts education for all children."
State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE), represented by Dale Schmid (NJ), attended the US Department of Education meeting on ESEA Reauthorization and Arts Education in Washington, DC. Predicated on the input of its members, the SEADAE statement was presented verbally by Dale Schmid (NJ) and in hard copy to officials of the USDOE, including the Deputy Secretary of Education. SEADAE members in attendance were: President Deb Hansen (DE), Dale Schmid (NJ), Jay Tucker (MD), and Scott Shuler (CT). Scott Shuler, President-Elect of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, also presented testimony as both a member of SEADAE and President-Elect of MENC.
The SEADAE testimony focused on:
1. The importance of federal legislation and, in particular, on the inclusion of the arts as core subject matter for all children, in leveraging parallel state policies and practices, and in promoting equity, excellence, and access to a balanced curriculum for every child. Therefore, SEADAE strongly urged retaining the language in Title IX, Part A, Section 9101 - Definitions, which names the arts among the core disciplines required of all students.
2. Amending the language defining 'core academic subjects' to read: the visual and performing arts (including dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.) SEADAE urged that all references to "Music and the Arts" should be struck in favor of this more definitive terminology.
3. Retention of existing language in Title V, Part A, Subpart 15, Section 5551. ASSISTANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION as it currently exists, supporting systemic education reform by 1) strengthening arts education as an integral part of the school curriculum; 2) ensuring that all students meet challenging State academic content and achievement standards in the arts; and 3) supporting national efforts to enable all students to demonstrate competence in the arts.
4. In Section 6132 Purpose; SEADAE urged consideration of more inclusive language regarding the intent "to improve teacher quality and subject matter mastery in all content areas," modifying the existing language, which purports as its purpose "to improve teacher quality... with an emphasis on mathematics, reading, and science." SEADAE asked this, again, in the name of providing a fully balanced curriculum for the nation's children.
5. Title I, Part A, Subpart 1, Section 1111(b)(1)(C) Subjects currently stipulates State(s) shall have academic standards...in subjects determined by the State, but including at least mathematics, reading or language arts, and science. While acknowledging the importance of foundational literacy in these areas, the unintended consequence of singling them out has been the narrowing of the curriculum. SEADAE advised that language inclusive of all core academic subjects as defined in Title IX be used.
6. Finally, sections of legislation such as Title I Part A, Subpart 1, Section 1111(a) (3) ACADEMIC ASSESSMENTS - that place emphasis on testing of limited subjects for use as the primary means of determining yearly performance of the State and local educational agencies should be revised. Greater parity in measures used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress that span a balanced curriculum is in the best interest of students. SEADAE highly recommended a fair and balanced system of assessment for learning that reaches across all domains.
Copies of the testimony presented by SEADAE, MENC, and relevant ESEA documents can be found at: www.seadae.org.
To stay in touch with the ESEA Reauthorization process, go to: http://www.ed.gov/blog/topic/esea-reauthorization/
Ana Luisa Cardona
Education Consultant
Arts Infused Education and Innovation
Michigan Department of Education
cardonaa@michigan.gov |
 The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Announces its Main Grant Program for FY 2010, the Program for Operational and Project Support
This new grant program will offer an opportunity for non-profit, schools and other tax-exempt organizations to apply for a competitive grant in either of the two identified categories - Operational Support or Project Support. Each category has specific eligibility requirements and review criteria. Guidelines for this program are available on our Grant Program and Online Forms Web pages and MCACA staff are available to assist you. The deadline for this program is February 24, 2010.
Also new this year, Michigan taxpayers can contribute to any of the funds on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule. For the first time, this includes the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Called the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund, contributions are for grant programs that help keep our communities thriving with quality arts and culture. Individuals may contribute $5 or more to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in support of local arts and cultural events. These contributions are returned to local communities and nonprofit organizations in the form of grants. Programs and services funded by these monies include arts education and low-cost performances and exhibits.
Help to support grants coming directly to your community's arts and cultural organizations by contributing to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs through this tax check off opportunity. For more information go to the Department of Treasury's website and search for form 4642.
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News and Opportunities
Model Development and Dissemination in Arts Eduction Grants
Statements of intent to apply are due February 15 for these federal grants targeted at model development for elementary and middle school programs. Programs must strengthen arts and arts instruction in core elementary and middle school curricula; and improve students' academic performance, including their skills in creating, performing, and responding to the arts. The government will offer an estimated 28 awards of approximately $275,000 each. Completed applications are due in March.
VSA arts Institute, February 25-27
The VSA arts Institute is a series of professional development workshops that focus on designing and delivering arts learning experiences that reach students with disabilities. Through discussion and hands-on arts activities, participants gain an understanding of the foundations of arts learning and inclusive education, and how to use inclusive practices in their work. Learn more and register at vsami.org.
Claiming Creativity symposium in Chicago, April 21-24
The symposium Claiming Creativity will take place at Columbia College Chicago. The audience will be composed of practitioners and policymakers from all over the world. Claiming Creativity will offer presenters and other participants a practical forum for the investigation of long-standing and emerging issues in the arts and arts related fields. Through workshops, roundtable discussions and selected presentations from leading experts on creativity in the arts, commerce, science and industry, participants will share research, develop works in progress, and share their findings through a web forum and a symposium "journal," published through one of Columbia College Chicago's academic presses. Visit Claiming Creativity for more information.
AEP's new ArtsEd Digest
The Arts Education Partnership has a new bi-weekly digest of news from across the country, the new face of their popular listserv. Read the latest issue or subscribe here.
Edutopia's review of arts education initiatives
The article highlights some efforts to reincorporate arts into education, including Dallas' "unabashedly idealistic, yet meticulously researched, premise - that students flourish when creativity drives learning."
Interlochen announces adult education courses
The College of Creative Arts has announced its summer adult courses, including professional development. Learn more here.
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