Getting the Best High School Arts Education

Transcription

1 Getting the Best High School Arts Education A Guide for Parents and Students in New York City

2 Contents 2 Why Arts Education Matters 3 Arts Education Is Required 4 You Have the Power 6 Take Action 8 Resources Published by The Center for Arts Education Copyright 2010 CAE My husband and I believe strongly that arts education is essential for building innovative thinkers who will be our nation s leaders of tomorrow. First Lady Michelle Obama Career Ideas: Read on for job ideas in New York City s $21-billion arts economy: Actor Advertiser Agent

3 Dear Parent, Whether your child is a burgeoning artist or simply a young person trying to navigate through high school, this guide is for you. Inside you will find vital information about arts education in NYC public high schools: the benefits, the types and the amount of arts instruction your child should be receiving at school and easy tools you can use to support the arts at home and at school. This guide will also provide basic information on the NYC graduation requirements and the range of jobs within the creative sector, and additional arts education resources to help you get more involved in your child s education. our students live in one of the world s best arts cities and they deserve nothing less than a worldclass arts education. Mayor Michael Bloomberg My art teachers want to have a positive influence on kids. I ve learned so much from my theater teacher in the last three years! Joseph, Grade 12 Animator Architect Art Critic Art Director Art historian Art Therapist CabinetMaker Cake Decorator Calligrapher >> 1

4 How the Arts Help Teens Enjoy and Stay in School Arts keep students engaged in school life. Students take the skills learned from their arts education experiences discipline, patience and problem-solving and apply them throughout their lives. Did You Know Taking Arts Classes Helps Teens Graduate on Time? A recent report by The Center for Arts Education shows that high schools with the most access to and support for arts education have the city s highest graduation rates. You can read the report online ( Why Arts Education Matters: especially in high school High school is a time of great uncertainty and challenges both social and academic. Students struggle with forging an identity and planning for college and their future, all while navigating the daunting social terrain of a new academic environment. The arts are a vital tool for success in high school because they provide positive, constructive and creative pathways that afford teens the opportunity to: develop confidence express complex feelings and ideas think creatively and learn to take risks Learn about other cultures and their own Collaborate and engage positively with others Build a sense of community in their schools develop the kind of problem-solving skills employers are looking for in a highly competitive workforce Arts Education Provides a Gateway to the Future Today s arts-related businesses in New York City generate $21 billion annually, providing jobs in everything from set design and theater management to video game design and advertising. Located in the cultural capital of the world, our city s schools have the potential to provide students with top-notch arts education and prepare them to become a part of and excel in the arts and arts-related industries, which generate more than 200,000 jobs. How the Arts Can Help in Applying to College the College Board found that students who take art for all four years of high school scored substantially higher on the SAT than students with six months or less training in the arts. the State University of New York strongly recommends that applying students take courses in the fine arts. the arts help a student develop the creativity and criticalthinking skills needed to thrive in any college environment. through music I can express myself without being limited by words. Stephania, Grade 12 Camera Operator Cartoonist Casting director Choreographer Cinematographer Composer Conductor CopyWriter Cosmetologist Costume Designer

5 ARTS EDUCATION IS REQUIRED Did You Know New York State Has a Graduation Requirement for the Arts? New York State requires that a student complete one unit (two semesters) in the arts dance, music, theater, visual arts taught by a teacher licensed in the subject area they are teaching. In New York City, high schools have the option of fulfilling these graduation requirements through either a half-unit of credit (one semester each) in both visual arts and music or one unit of credit (one year) in one of the four art forms. What All Parents Should Know NYC Has a Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts The New York City Department of Education has published a comprehensive Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts (Grades pre-k 12) for principals and teachers that provides common goals for curricula in the areas of dance, music, theater, visual arts and the moving image. Make Sure Your School Knows That You and Other Parents Consider Art an Essential and Non-Negotiable Academic Subject! You re not alone. The U.S. Secretary of Education has declared the arts a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. In fact, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children s development and learning process. every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Pablo Picasso, artist Did You Know That Nearly 20% of High Schools Do Not Have a Certified Arts Teacher on Staff? Be aware that despite state mandates requiring all students to complete one unit (one year) of instruction taught by a certified arts teacher, many high schools do not have a single certified arts teacher on staff. Culinary Artist Curator Dancer Dance Therapist Director Fabric Designer Fashion Buyer fashion editor Film critic 3 >>

6 YOU HAVE THE POWER: help your teen get the most out of his/her arts education How to Find the Right Arts Program in High School use the NYC Department of Education s high school directory (available in print or at schools.nyc.gov/choicesenrollment/ High/Directory/Search/default.htm) to research schools offering the art forms that interest your teen. Attend school tours and open houses to see the school and meet the faculty. Look for displays of student work and a schedule of annual events. Does the school take pride in the work of students and exhibit it? Make Sure You Understand the Kind of Art Classes Your Teen Needs If your teen did not have a strong middle school program or if he wants to try something new, you will want a school with good introductory classes. But if your teen has been practicing an art form and wants to study it in depth, look for a school with advanced instruction. Chancellor s Endorsed Diploma in the Arts: For the Serious Arts Student this credential can help an applicant stand out when applying to college. students involved in advanced study of the arts have the opportunity to receive this Chancellor s endorsed diploma if they successfully complete a minimum of 10 sequential credits (semesters) in one of the four art forms at the high school level and pass a rigorous four-part commencement assessment. Students receiving this diploma are also eligible for a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation Through the Arts. Be sure to ask the school if students are able to graduate with this distinction. I don t think I would have become President if it had not been for school music. Former President Bill Clinton How to Help the Serious Middle School Arts Student Prepare for Advanced Study in High School Make notes of any audition requirements and dates; check whether your student needs to assemble a portfolio of his/her work. Ask if the school has certified arts teachers. How many? And in what art forms? when you tour the school s facilities, check to see if rooms and spaces are dedicated to each of the art forms offered. Ask if the school partners with local arts groups. Are afterschool arts activities available? find out if there are regularly scheduled field trips to concerts, plays, dance programs or art exhibitions. film editor film/video camera operator Furniture Designer GlassBlower

7 Is Your Teen s School Providing a Quality Arts Education? ArtsCount: Know How Your School Measures Up. All schools now participate in an annual Arts Education Survey conducted by the NYC DOE s ArtsCount initiative ( The survey gathers data on art classes offered, school spending on the arts and other aspects of a school s arts programming. The responses are compiled into the Annual Arts in Schools Report, which provides valuable information about student access to and participation in arts education and the resources available to support arts education in your teen s school and the system as a whole. Your school s Annual Arts in Schools Report can be found on the school s web page under the About Us heading, subtitled statistics. Some Questions to Ask When You Talk to Your School s Teachers, Parent Coordinator or Principal: which arts courses does the school offer? Are the number and types of courses adequate to meet the minimum graduation requirements in music, visual arts, drama and dance? do all students have access to the arts classes? Are a sufficient number of advanced courses available for students to attain a Chancellor s Endorsed Diploma in the Arts? does the school have a budget for arts supplies and teaching materials? does the school have cultural partners? In what art forms? How many hours of instruction do they provide? do classes take field trips to museums, theaters or other arts events? what is the principal s vision to support and grow arts instruction? Are the arts part of the school s Comprehensive Education Plan? Your Chance to Speak Up The annual NYC School Survey measures awareness among students and parents of the art offerings in your child s school and your satisfaction with the curriculum. If students and parents are not satisfied with the school s arts program, take this opportunity to speak up. i didn t have art in middle school, but I didn t let that stop me. I went out and found a Saturday program. Showing initiative helped me when I applied to high school. Dominique, Grade 12 Graphic designer Hairdresser Illustrator Industrial Designer Interactive Designer Interior Designer Jewelry Maker >> 5

8 TAKE ACTION: what you can do to protect your teen s right to a quality arts education At first my parents were skeptical, they thought art was something easy. Now they see how hard I work at it. Dominique, Grade 10 Collect Information that Can Help You Be an Advocate for Your Teen in School Learn about the school s goals for the arts and what steps it is taking to achieve these goals. Ask what parents can do to help. find out if the PTA supports arts activities for students and families, and ask to speak about the importance of arts education at its meeting. identify talent among the parents that can help the school. Are there parents who are artists or work in arts-related jobs, such as designers, theater managers or museum employees, who could come to school and speak about their careers? Are there parents who know how to write grants to get funds to support the arts program? Build a Team of Parents Committed to Arts Education and Share Ideas, Fundraise and Encourage Your School to Increase Its Support of the Arts Contact CAE s Arts Education Action Network ( parent_coalition) for tips on how to get started. As a group, let the school administration know how important your teens arts learning is to you. send a letter or to the administration signed by a number of like-minded parents. Have parents in your school fill out and mail the tear-off card in this guide to send a message to the Schools Chancellor that you think the arts are important. Ask the school to dedicate resources to its arts programs. if you d like help with reaching other parents at your school, ask CAE to contact your school and arrange to come and speak about the benefits of arts education and how to get involved to support it. Landscape Architect Lighting Designer MakeUp Artist metalworker Museum Curator painter

9 The arts can help students become tenacious, teamoriented problemsolvers who are confident and able to think creatively. These qualities can be especially important in improving learning among students from economically disadvantaged circumstances. Arne Duncan, u.s. secretary of education Join CAE s Arts Education Action Network, a group of public school parents and community members who want to improve arts education. The Network works with elected officials, organizations and individuals to achieve this goal. Visit the CAE website for more information: Share This Guide Call CAE to order more guides for your school: or You can either go online to request guides for your school or download them here: caenyc.org/high-school-parent-guide. Make the Arts a Part of Your Teen s Life Beyond School encourage your teen to visit museums, some of which have free passes and programs for teens. Attend concerts and performances together. Research nonprofit organizations dedicated to making the arts affordable for teens. See CAE s online Resources page for ideas (caenyc.org/resources/links). encourage your teen s use of technology, including computer-based video and music production. Help your teen find and apply for internships in the creative sector. performance artist Photographer Photo Journalist Pit Musician print maker Producer Programmer Screenwriter Sculptor >> 7

10 i found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn t say any other way things I had no words for. Georgia O Keeffe, artist A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind. Eugène Ionesco, playwright Resources You can download this Parent Guide or it from our website. There are additional guides for parents with children in grades K 2, 3 5 and 6 8. Arts Advocacy Workshops Invite a CAE representative to work with parents and faculty to support arts education in your school and throughout the school system. Contact CAE or visit to learn more. Arts Powered Learning Web-based modules offering tools and strategies representing best practices to design, implement and sustain arts education programming in schools are available at E-Action Center Visit CAE s online action center ( to easily contact your elected officials regarding the importance of arts education. Parents As Arts Partners Program This CAE initiative fosters partnerships with cultural organizations to engage parents and families in hands-on interactive arts education. Contact CAE or visit to learn about eligibility requirements. Professional Development CAE offers a range of professional development services for principals, teaching artists, school counselors and teachers. Contact CAE or visit to learn more. Visit CAE s online Resource page ( and NYC DOE s ArtsCount page ( to research additional arts education programs, events and activities. Set Designer Singer Sketch artist Sound Engineer Special effects specialist Stage technician Stage Manager StoryBoard Artist Stylist

11 Terms you should know ArtsCount A DOE initiative aimed at enhancing arts education in New York City public schools. A centerpiece of this initiative was the development of a series of metrics on the arts education taking place in city schools. Arts Education Liaison A staff member designated by a school s principal who serves as a conduit for arts learning and helps students meet New York State Instructional Requirements for Arts Education. Visit nysartsrequirements.html. Arts-in-Education The field of arts education in the schools includes: arts education during and after school; partnerships between schools and cultural organizations; visiting artists; artist residencies; in-school performances by performing artists; art workshops for educators; field trips to museums and performing arts events; school-wide celebrations. Annual Arts in Schools Report Collects and synthesizes data on arts participation, spending, staffing and instructional programming to provide a comprehensive view of arts education in city schools. The annual report includes individual schools and aggregate data for the school system as a whole. It is designed to help school leaders, parents and teachers understand how they can improve student learning in the arts. CEC Community Education Councils. Each CEC oversees a Community School District that includes public elementary, intermediate and junior high schools. It comprises nine parents of students in the district and two additional voting members appointed by the borough presidents. CEP Comprehensive Education Plan. This is the annual statement of educational philosophy and approach prepared by every public school. Cultural Partners Museums, theaters and other cultural organizations that partner with schools to provide arts education services. DOE Department of Education. The governing body of the New York City public school system. Office of Family Engagement and Advocacy Office within the DOE that engages public school parents and families and represents parents views in decision-making at the highest levels of the DOE. Parent Coordinator Paid staff position at some NYC public schools; coordinates parent activities and responds to parent concerns. PA and PTA Parent Association and Parent Teacher Association. These leadership groups are open to all parents and are required in every public school. Their meetings are good places for parents to find out what s happening in their child s school. SLT School Leadership Team. This group is comprised of a school s principal, teachers and parents. It makes decisions about school priorities and how the budget is spent, and evaluates a school s progress. TA Teaching Artist. Professional artist and educator who often works through a cultural organization and comes into schools to teach art on a visiting basis. UFT United Federation of Teachers. This union represents NYC public school teachers and provides publications and resources to increase parent involvement in schools. What we play is life. Louis Armstrong, musician Writer: Catherine Fukushima Designer: Michael DiGiacomo, BerlinRosen Talent agent 3-D Artist and renderer Toy designer Typography Designer Urban Planner Video Game Designer Web Designer 9

12 Getting the Best High School Arts Education A Guide for Parents and Students in New York City Obtenga la Mejor Educación Artística en la Secundaria Una Guía para los Padres y Estudiantes en la Ciudad de Nueva York West 34th Street Suite 1112 New York, NY 10122