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Below are recommendations that qualify for support in ESSA; HOWEVER, we must ask the Florida Department of Education BEFORE July 22, 2016, to consider the inclusion of these suggested policies for arts education in Florida's ESSA Accountability Plan:
A well-rounded education that includes all the arts prepares students
for success in school, higher education, the workforce, and
life-long engagement in their communities and in learning.
The Florida Department of Education ESSA Accountability Plan should
1. clearly define in writing that the "arts" include the subjects dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts as part of ESSA's definition of courses, activities, and programs for a "well-rounded" education; Note: the term "all-arts-defined" referenced below means all five of these arts disciplines listed above;
2. include eligibility access to Title I funds for all-arts-defined programs that address the needs of and goals for standards-based learning for academically at-risk students;
3. include eligibility access to Title II funds for professional development for all-arts-defined teachers,teaching artists, principals, and other educators involved in the development and implementation of instructional delivery for grades Pre-K through 12;
4. include eligibility access to Title IV 21st Century Schools and Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants for school and community partnerships that utilize one or more of the all-arts-defined courses, activities, and programs to improve students' academic achievement by increasing the capacity of Florida's Department of Education, local educational agencies, schools, and local communities to provide
all students with access to a well-rounded education;
5. encourage full participation from Florida in the federal Assistance for Arts Education Grants Program that involves professional development for teachers; development and dissemination of arts-based educational programming in multiple arts disciplines; and national outreach activities that strengthen partnerships among local education agencies, local arts and cultural organizations, and national centers for the arts;
6. include in Florida's Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) at least one measure of student engagement, attendance, and academic achievement through participation in one or more of the all-arts-defined subjects;
7. support the integration of one or more of the all-arts-defined-arts subjects into programs and activities that increase participation in STEM to improve attainment of STEM-related skills and promote a well-rounded education;
8. include assessments and evaluation systems for student achievement in the all-arts-defined subjects;
9. support policies and funding-eligibility support for Pre-K education that includes all-arts-defined subjects;
10. integrate all the defined-arts courses, activities, and programs into other goals established in ESSA, such as average daily attendance; evidence-based programs; graduation rates; literacy programs for low-performing students and English-learning students and families; engagement of parents, students, and community partners; school improvement, identity, and engagement; preparation for today's and tomorrow's workforce, careers, and higher education; expanded learning time in and out of school; Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities; programs for gifted and talented students; programs that prepare Pre-K students for greater engagement and effective learning and success in their future school experiences; etc.
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