ArtsEd Washington's Community Guide to
Making the Arts Part of a Complete Education
for Every Child
  
   
Do Your Homework – Know your ABCs
The Arts are Basic Curriculum. Be familiar with the state law and state arts standards. Learn about the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) in the arts; the Arts frameworks, and the Classroom Based Performance Assessments CBPAs – mandatory in 2008-09. 		 
   
See the Big Picture
Washington Learns, the Governor’s Task Force on Education, has identified the need to bring creativity into the classroom as one of the 5 key principles guiding their overall process. Another guiding principle is the engagement of parents, community and private partners. These are great opportunities for us to unite for success. Read their final report and be fully informed to discuss the relevance of arts education in the 21st Century: World Class, Learner Focused, Seamless Education

“In the new economy, many skills can be outsourced, but creativity and imagination cannot” —Washington Learns Final Report: World Class, Learner Focused, Seamless Education (2006) 		 
   
Get Your Facts Right
Get some data at your fingertips! The arts help all students learn to succeed in school and beyond. Students who participate in the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to be elected to class office, to participate in a math and science fairs and to receive awards for school attendance. Get these Quick Facts or visit our Research page for a comprehensive look at the latest research on arts education.

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Rigor & Relevance
We think of the arts as “fun” and often they are, but they must also be rigorous and relevant. Learning in and through the arts helps students to develop • critical thinking • problem-solving skills • the ability to communicate and collaborate. They have to be self-directed learners, developing leadership, adaptability and empathy.

These skills do not come easy and require a challenging but supportive environment to allow this learning will occur. • Align what you do with the arts EALRs (what children need to know and be able to do at each grade level). • Don’t ask for classroom time for activities that do not advance these. • Highlight the learning in every art display you hang.

Need an aligned curriculum? Contact us and we'll connect you or watch for our new Curricula Bank coming soon! 		 
   
Be Teacher’s Pet
The least effective and sustainable arts experience is one which is just dropped into the day/week/month or school year without any planning and collaboration with the teacher.
• Talk to your teacher
• Find out her learning goals for the year
• Discuss how your lessons can involve her and support these goals
• Be a team
• Plan lessons together

When PTA funds a visiting artist, add a couple of hours and have a Parent/Teacher workshop - an investment in sustainable skills for your childrens’ teachers. Check out the new Washington State Teaching Artist Roster coming soon. 		 
   
Go to the Principal’s Office
Talk to your principal about what he/she is doing to build the arts education programs. • Ask how you (and others) can help. • Tell him about our Arts Leadership program. Read the program overview.		  
   

Form a “Club”
Encourage Everyday Advocacy: Within your school community, create strategies to advocate for comprehensive and sequential arts education to community, teachers, administration and School Board.

• Talk to your child’s teacher about their plans for arts instruction
• Talk to other parents about what is going on for their children and why it is so important
• Talk to your child at home about what they learn in art and music classes as much as you ask about other subject areas
• Be a model for them in your own interests and activities

Write a short personal statement about why you AS A PARENT believe that study in the arts should be a basic and vital part of your child’s education. These statements will be invaluable to you as a group for direction and advocacy.

Web Resources

  
   
Sit at the Big Kids’ Table
Do you know that every public meeting allows time for public comment? School Board meetings, local Arts Commissions, City Council, etc. Most of these people are elected officials and have a very good reason for listening to you. (It’s called a Vote.) Tell them how important the arts are to you and how crucial it is for your child to get the complete education they deserve!

Action Steps:
• Coordinate speakers and materials to present the case for different audiences.
• Be available to attend School Board and other pertinent meetings.
• Create a communication system for coordinated response to issues that may arise, e.g. community phone tree.		  
   
Need Help?
Use the Advocacy Resources above and remember:

• ArtsEd Washington can provide talking points and help you with strategy.
• Washington State Arts Alliance has an Action Alert system to let you know when to act!
Sign up to get their alerts. They also provide advocacy training.

Need More Ideas? Call or email ArtsEd Washington. We’re here to help! 206 441 4501