Advocacy

Welcome to the EdTA Advocacy Update

May 3, 2016

The Advocacy Update is where you can find current national and state news concerning arts advocacy and arts education

EdTA NEWS

April was an exciting month for EdTA’s JumpStart program as Holmes Middle School, Finneytown Middle School, and James N. Gamble Montessori each performed a musical for the first time!

The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) has issued an invitation for arts educators interested in serving as adjudicators of the high school student work of the high school student work collected as part of the 2015-16 Model Cornerstone Assessment (MCA) Pilot Project. 

NATIONAL NEWS

Arts Critical to STEM Learning Says Secretary of Education: Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education for every student in America. More, he acknowledged the vital role of the arts in rethinking education. (Huffington)

STATE NEWS

Got state theatre and other arts education news you want to share? Send it to May mhetzer@schooltheatre.org

California: Theater and dance teaching credentials bill takes a leap forward (89.3 KPCC)

Florida: Guest commentary: How theater education helps build a community (Naples Daily News)

Longleaf Elementary School receives state recognition for arts program (Tampabay.com)

Idaho: State Considers Changes to School Content Standards (Twin Falls Times-News)

Illinois: Princeton Theatre Group receives National Endowment for the Arts grant (Bureau County Republican)

Indiana: Husband, wife honored after 50 years of teaching theater (Today)

Kentucky: Region voices concerns on education in Kentucky (Bowling Green Daily News)

Maine: PK-12 Teaching Artists Roster applications available (Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel)

Maryland: Art integration in Prince George's County schools (Baltimore Sun)

New Jersey: 2016 Monmouth Arts Education Awards and Showcase (New Jersey Stage)

New York: Arts Literacy: Why We Must Change the Tune (Huffington Post)

Pennsylvania: Western Pennsylvania schools, communities fend off cuts to music programs  (Tribune-Review)

Virginia: A touring opera makes a stop at King George Elementary School  (Journal Press - King George)

Wisconsin: Music and Arts Leaders Hope to Boost Art Education (Green Bay Press Gazette)

WORTH READING

In Newtown, the Power of the Arts Sets the Stage for Healing: The documentary ‘Midsummer in Newtown’ reveals how a Shakespearean production transforms the lives of kids and parents. (TakePart)

WORTH WATCHING 

The Importance of Art Education:  A non-profit called ProjectArt provides art classes in public libraries where local schools have had to cut art classes. (MetroFocus)