The Status of Arts Education in Ohio's Public ... - Ohio Arts Council

VISION AND CONTEXT
WHY DO WE STUDY THE STATUS OF ARTS EDUCATION?
Courtesy: Yellow Springs Kids Playhouse
The vision of Ohio’s State Board of Education is “for all
students to graduate from the pre-K-12 education system
with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary
to be well prepared for success.”
We—the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, the Ohio Arts
Council and the Ohio Department of Education—believe that
arts education plays a vital and often overlooked role in
realizing that bold vision. Regularly assessing the status of
arts education in Ohio’s public schools statewide is part of
our shared commitment to maintaining an arts education
infrastructure that supports the success of Ohio’s students.
We believe that high-quality arts education develops habits of mind
that prepare students for successful postsecondary studies and the
world of work. Our belief is congruent with evidence from research,
expert recommendations, and the expectations within Ohio’s legal
codes, standards and requirements for public education.
Our arts education vision for Ohio’s students includes:
• Frequent, standards-based arts learning experiences delivered by
qualified arts educators and designed to produce high-quality
results.
• Opportunities to explore and excel in dance, music,
drama/theatre and the visual arts.
• Integration of arts education with the challenges of learning,
sharing a school culture and improving school outcomes.
One way to assess progress toward this vision is to examine the
extent and equity of students’ access to arts education, the presence
of school conditions that support high-quality arts instruction and
the influences of districts and communities on arts education
programs. Findings in those three areas, which are presented in
this report, will help us take more informed action to prevent
the erosion of Ohio’s arts education infrastructure and make
the most of arts learning resources and opportunities.
The Ohio Alliance for Arts
Education (OAAE) works to
promote, develop, support and
improve the quality of arts
education in Ohio’s schools.
The Ohio Arts Council (OAC)
is a state agency that funds
and supports quality arts
experiences to strengthen
Ohio communities culturally,
educationally and
economically.
The Ohio Department of
Education (ODE) is the
government agency that
oversees and supports primary
and secondary education for
Ohio’s 1.8 million public school
students. ODE works with the
State Board of Education,
Governor and Ohio General
Assembly to shape
educational policy and law and
provide support to Ohio’s
public schools.
Status of Arts Education in Ohio’s Public Schools 3