NYSED is currently reviewing graduation requirements for high school students. Sharing your views on the importance of the arts in the high school curriculum, especially sequential arts courses and advanced studios beyond introductory level requirements, can protect the vibrancy of our high school art programs.

Why ACT now? NYS is currently reviewing graduation requirements for high school students. Sharing your views on the importance of the arts in the high school curriculum, especially sequential arts courses and advanced studios beyond introductory level requirements, can protect the vibrancy of our high school art programs. 

Survey Focuses on 2 Questions:
1. What knowledge, skills, and/or experiences do you think are important for ALL students to have by the end of high school?
2. How would you like to students to show that they have knowledge, skills, and/or experiences necessary for graduation?

KNOW:  Some facts to cite! Some things to say!

• Studio Thinking Framework
• 10 Lessons the Arts Teach by Elliot Eisner
• Julie Toole’s Talking with your Administrator about Choice 

KNOW: Arts Regulations at Play:
100.5(a)3(v) visual arts and/or music, dance, or theatre, one unit of credit

100.2(h) Availability of career and technical education and arts sequences:

• All public school districts shall offer students the opportu­nity to complete a three- or five-unit sequence in each of the following areas: career and technical education and the arts.
• All public school districts shall offer students the opportu­nity to begin an approved sequence in the arts in grade nine.
  
  

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Take the Survey NOW! 

Why ACT now? Time sensitive! Bills S4525 and A1788 come up for a vote in May 2022. Writing to your legislators now ensure that they have “fat files” of letters of support. Bills S4525 and A1788 requires arts education and bring NYS law into compliance with federal mandates and would update decades old statutes.

KNOW: Arts Regulations at Play

• The Every Student Succeeds Act is a Federal Mandate that includes art as a “well-rounded” subject.
• NYS Regulations of the commissioner of Education Part 100 specifies that art education be included PreK-4 100.3(b), GR 5-8 100.4(b), Gr 9-12 1005.(a)
• BUT Education laws in NYS do not require arts education (written in 1951 and 1958). We can help change this by supporting these bills!

ACT: What can I do?
Write a hard-copy letter to your legislator! Use up your stamps! Get addresses and a template here! Feel free to customize the letter to your needs! Write your letter TODAY! 

CLICK HERE for Letter Template

Questions? Contact NYSATA Advocacy Coordinator Samantha Nolte-Yupari at [email protected]