An Unfinished Canvas Arts Education in California Research conducted by the Center for Education Policy SRI International Funded by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The Charge: Fill the Information Gap Review existing state policies Assess implementation relative to state policies Examine systems of support Identify potential policy levers

The Charge: Rigorous Research Design Statewide survey Large sample to ensure reliable estimates for state and by school level, poverty, and population density (1800 schools) Sufficient response rate (62%) Use of existing survey instruments Case studies 31 schools in 13 districts and 9 counties District level staff, school administrators, arts and classroom teachers, and arts partners Secondary data analysis

Key Findings

Ambitious Policies The California Education Code calls for all schools to offer a course of study in the four arts disciplines. The California arts standards reflect what students are expected to know and be able to do in the four arts disciplines.

Limited Access to Standards-Based Course of Study Percentage of K-12 Schools Offering a Standards-Based Course of Study in the Arts

Unequal Access to Arts Education

Key Finding: The Barriers

Follow-up Research

An Unfinished Canvas follow-up studies Funding and instructional time (May 2008) Teacher capacity (May 2008) Large-scale assessment (Sept 2008) District leadership and the use of new state funds (January 2009) Partnerships with local arts organizations (April 2009)