Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools and What is the survey Data collection scope and methods Key findings Key messages What you can do

What is the “Snapshot of Arts Education” FRSS? FRSS = Fast Response Survey System U.S. Department of Education survey used to collect issue-oriented data quickly Current survey for arts education covers school year Previous arts education FRSS was Allows for a 10-year pre- and post-NCLB comparison on status and condition of arts education

What Data are Collected? National-level data on arts education in public elementary and secondary schools Comprised of 7 separate surveys, covering such arts-related topics as: – Availability and characteristics of programs – Teaching loads and professional development of instructors – Classroom teachers integration of the arts with other subjects – Teachers’ use of methods to assess student learning High school graduation requirements in the arts

What Data are not Collected? State- and local-level data Survey responses of theatre and dance specialists Outcomes of student learning in the arts

How are Data Collected? Distributed to a nationally representative sample of over 1200 elementary and 1200 secondary schools Primarily a multiple-choice questionnaire Responses gathered from following populations: – Elementary school principals, music specialists, visual arts specialists and general classroom teachers – Secondary school principals, music specialists, visual arts specialists

Key Findings: A Mixed Picture Elementary Schools Instruction Arts Discipline Music94% Visual Arts83%87% Theatre4%20% Dance3%20% Source: Parsad, D., and Spiegelman, M. (2012). Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: and (NCES ). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Figure 1

Key Findings: A Mixed Picture Secondary Schools Instruction Arts Discipline Music91%90% Visual Arts89%93% Theatre45%48% Dance12%14% Source: Parsad, D., and Spiegelman, M. (2012). Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: and (NCES ). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Figure 4

Translating Percentages into Numbers: Who has access and who does not? 1.3 million of our nation’s public elementary school students receive no specific instruction in music. Nearly 4 million elementary school students receive no specific instruction in the visual arts. And literally, tens of millions of students will never get the chance in elementary school to receive any authentic instruction in dance or theatre.

Who are the Students with Little or No Access to Arts Education? Disproportionately, they are the students who attend high-poverty schools—the schools that serve the lowest socio- economic levels of our population. On nearly every measure of access to arts education between low-poverty schools and high-poverty schools, the high- poverty schools come up short.

Key Findings Music: Nine percent of public secondary schools reported that they did not offer music. (Figure 11, Pg. 21) 15 percent of elementary schools offered music instruction at least three times per week. (First Look Report) Schools with a higher concentration of students in poverty were less likely to offer music education. (Figure 8, Pg. 14) Among elementary schools offering music education, the presence of music specialists declines as the school’s poverty rate increases. (Table 5, Pg. 15)

Key Messages All students deserve access to a complete education – including a comprehensive arts education.

Key Messages The vast majority of our nation’s public elementary and secondary schools – close to 90% - offer music instruction. At the elementary level, that includes a majority of students receiving such instruction at least once a week by a certified music teacher. Arts education advocates have advocated for the presence of arts education programs across the country throughout the recession and in the wake of reading and math accountability demands on public schools.

Key Messages There are critical equity gaps in student access to a quality arts education in all arts disciplines, and these gaps must be addressed.

Key Messages Future data collection should be more comprehensive in scope and depth, and be conducted more frequently.

What You Can Do Review the Report Prompt a Conversation about Access to Arts Education in Your Community and State Seek Data Collection at the State and Local Level Get the facts about the educational benefits of arts learning at ArtsEdSearch.org

What You Can Do Arts Access in American School (FRSS) Toolkit Links to Summary and Full Report Remarks by Sec. Duncan Analysis and News Coverage 2008 NAEP Toolkit Link Coming Soon Fact Sheet Key Findings Communications Tips

What You Can Do Stay Tuned For Full Toolkit Americans for the Arts Arts Education Partnership Educational Theatre Association League of American Orchestras National Art Education Association NAfME: The National Association for Music Education NAMM National Dance Education Organization Quadrant Arts Education Research State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education Theatre Communications Group