Dear Arts in Education Supporters,

This is an important opportunity to shape the future of Arts in Education in New York State!

The New York State Education Department has announced seven Regional Forums as they prepare to update the ELA Standards. At the forums, stakeholders will be given a voice in the revision process. It is imperative that AIE advocates attend these meetings!

* The Gymnasium is the first building on the right on entering the campus’ south entrance on Bay Road. Parking is immediately to the right after the Gymnasium.
** Participants are invited to bring lunch, if they so wish. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

To view the invitation to the forums issued by the New York State Education Department click:
www.nysaae.org/Regional-Forums.pdf
Pre-Registration is advised.

Complete information on the Standards Review Process:
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/standardsreview/

We would also like to share these talking points.
They were prepared by the New York State BOCES Arts in Education Network whose mission is: to make arts in education integral to teaching and learning in schools thereby raising student achievement in all the Learning Standards; to create and maintain cooperative
advisory relationships with NYSED, school districts, professional arts associations and arts providers; and to enhance the professional growth and development of our membership.
For more information, contact: aie@stny.rr.com or cbrown@esboces.org

Talking Points for Learning Standards Revisions Forums

We believe that all students need a comprehensive education, including strong sequential arts programs in every school AND diverse, high quality, arts-in-education experiences, which bring teaching artists, performing and visual arts, and cultural institutions into partnerships with schools to improve student achievement.

Arts can help achieve NYS education goals. Current research shows that the arts:
• Serve as a powerful teaching tool in other curriculum areas, addressing the NYS Learning Standards and meeting the needs of students in diverse settings
• Encourage and motivate students to remain in school through graduation
• Enhance intellectual, personal and social development
• Significantly contribute to educating the whole child to succeed in a global society
• Are uniquely suited to provide insights into diverse world cultures
• Stimulate inquisitiveness and wonder, thus inspiring students
• Close the divide in achievement along lines of income, race, ethnicity, language and disability
• Keep up with growing demands for more knowledge and skill in the face of the changing global economy’s increasing competition
• Contribute to:

o Curriculum relevance and enjoyment and, therefore, engagement of students
o Tolerance and team work
o Critical thinking skills
o Tenacity, rigor, and high standards
o Enhancement of teacher engagement and satisfaction
o Positive school and community culture

Areas of concern:
• The integration of the arts into multiple areas of teaching and learning is diminishing from pre-school through college.
• Middle school students are negatively impacted by diminishing arts due to the focus on academic remediation and preparation for testing and high school placement.
• Professional development in arts integration for all teachers is inconsistent.

Therefore, we recommend:
• That all 28 NYS Learning Standards include integration of the arts to improve student achievement and to develop arts and cultural literacy
• Representatives from the NYS AIE Network for BOCES, in partnership with experienced arts specialists, be involved in the Learning Standards revision process

These talking points are available for download as a PDF by clicking: www.nysaae.org/Talking%20Points%20for%20Standards%20Revision.pdf

Thank you for supporting Arts in Education in New York State!