School Leadership:

Do instructional leaders (principals and superintendents) and faculty understand that the arts are essential to teaching and looming?

Is there a parent group organized to support arts education?

Do you work directly with the district arts coordinator or an administrator to ensure quality arts programs? '

Do you encourage student arts exhibits, performances, field trips, and quest artists and speakers as a part of your arts program?

Financial Support

Does your school provide a budget for arts programs other than student fees and donations from the PTO, PTA or some other source?

Is there a budget for arts supplies and the acquisition and repair of instruments and equipment?

Is money designated for professional development?

Arts Curriculum.

Do the written goals and objectives of your district and school include study of the arts?

Does the K-12 arts curriculum reflect the Arizona Arts Standards and include the opportunity to produce and create art works, to study arts history, criticism and appreciation?

Art Instruction

Do teachers plan lessons and units in the arts that reflect the district curriculum?

Are arts specialists available as resources for classroom teachers?

Are parents and students aware of the standards?

Are students involved in the roles of artist, critic, historian and observer?

Do students and teachers assess progress in arts foaming and teaching?

Classroom Materials and Resources

Are resource textbooks and materials provided for each teacher and for the students?

Are they being used?

Are film, slides, prints, posters and original art work available for teacher use?

Does the library have a collection of resources for students on arts activities and techniques, arts appreciation and history, as well as artists and camera in the arts?

Are arts magazines and journals available?

Art Personnel and Professional Development

Are programs staffed with certified endorsed arts teachers or classroom teachers who are adequately trained?

Is there on-going staff development for your teachers?

Are classroom teachers and arts specialists provided training in methods to work together to integrate the arts into the curriculum?

Are classroom teachers provided training in a variety of arts activities and techniques, and in methods to teach arts appreciation, history and criticism?

Are the arts teachers active members of their arts education associations?

Are they pursuing advanced course work and additional arts training?

 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF ARTS EDUCATION?

Find out who is teaching the arts and what curriculum and activities are used

Let everyone know that you, in your school, want education in all four arts for all students grades K-8 and in at least one art form for students in grades 9-12

Make your school and community aware of the need for teachers qualified to teach the arts

Create an awareness and understanding of the importance of arts education with your parents and students, faculty and administrators, school board and community members

Published by- Arizona Alliance for Arts Education
 
with support from	
 
Arizonans for Cultural Development and	
 
Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network