Arts Education and Arne Duncan's Letter
| To: | Superintendents, Principals, Curriculum Coordinators and Arts Directors |
| From: | Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D.
Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education |
| Date: | September 11, 2009 |
As you pursue the educational programs in your schools, please be reminded that all the arts disciplines-dance, music, theatre, and visual arts-are among the core curricula subjects that require a rigorous and sequential curriculum be taught to all students. Compelling research done over the past two decades has indicated that arts-rich schools have students who perform better academically, have better attitudes about school, and have improved attendance. Other studies have shown that the arts play a primary role in the development of a well-rounded curriculum and also in the development of the whole child.In preparing your students for 21st century skills, it is recognized that all arts disciplines are important for teaching these essential skills. Cooperative work, leadership, problem solving, analytical thinking, creativity, and innovation are just a few of the areas that the arts consistently develop through regular and demanding arts learning. I have attached a letter   from Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, Washington D.C., in which he dovetails the value of the arts; resources that may be used to help with the development of arts in education programs and professional development for arts teachers/educators; and future survey actions by the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Use this as a guide for you and your staff members to design ways to begin strengthening your arts coursework, as well as infusing the arts across the entire curriculum. Some additional resources that may be useful to you are: - Arts Education Partnership (AEP) will be holding its Fall National Forum "Charting a Course for the Arts and 21st Century Learning" on October 2-3 at Lesley University, Cambridge.
- Some Massachusetts organizations as listed below.
Arts Organizations and ResourcesAll Arts Disciplines:Massachusetts Cultural Council
Arts/Learning
Mass Advocates for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities
CultureLEAP (Worcester County)
VSA Arts Massachusetts
New England Foundation for the Arts Dance:National Dance Association
National Dance Education Association (state chapter currently organizing for Massachusetts) Music Organizations:MENC: National Association of Music Education
Massachusetts Music Educators Association
Five MMEA regional districts: Organization of American Kodály Educators
Boston Area Kodály Educators
American Orff Schulwerk Assn.
New England Orff Schulwerk
MA American Choral Directors Assn.
Dalcroze Society Theater Organizations:MA H.S. Drama Guild
New England Theatre Conference Visual Arts:National Art Education Association
MA Art Education Association For extensive listings of other arts-related organizations, see the "links" page of the Arts/Learning website.
Last Updated: September 21, 2009
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