Most California schools fail to meet state standards for arts education, new report says
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It’s Lasherica, the Ed Lab’s engagement reporter. Today’s Tuesday, Sept. 27, and this is our weekly newsletter!
Last week, a wise young man (he’s only 17) told me, “The two biggest obstacles for STEM right now are access and interest.”
Not only is that true about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, but it can also be said about the arts and other fields such as journalism.
One way to overcome those barriers is through special programming. When there are programs, there are opportunities for kids to learn about and become interested in that field.
For example, in eighth grade, I joined my high school newspaper not because I knew anything about journalism but because teachers thought this accessible program would interest me. About 13 years later, and look at me now. It became my passion after my first story.
That’s why I love to see programs – whether after school or during the day – developing skills for students to use one day. Like how The Bee’s Melissa Montalvo worked with Fresno-area high school students on their journalism skills as part of her Report4America community service project.
Or how Tatarian Elementary school’s administration is in talks with Fresno State leaders, including the executive director of Fresno State’s Institute for Media and Public Trust, about a partnership to teach journalism skills to Tatarian students.
For STEM, there are coder clubs throughout Fresno Unified and robotics in Sanger Unified, to name a couple of highlights. Even for art, there are theatrical art programs in Clovis Unified and other districts.
Even if these skills don’t lead to a career, which most can and will, they may lead to hobbies that foster creativity, responsibility and more.
Schools not meeting standards for required art education
But unfortunately, nearly 90% of California schools fail to meet state-mandated arts education requirements, according to a report this month from Create CA, an art education advocacy group.
“While numerous studies have shown arts education is essential for student wellbeing, academic success, preparation for 21st-century jobs and civic engagement, California isn’t meeting its own requirements for providing arts instruction to California students.” the Create CA report said.
The Creativity Challenge: The State of Arts Education in California compared K-12 data from the 2005-06 school year and the 2019-20 school year and measured the opportunity students have to complete standards-based, sequential arts education in music, dance, theater, and visual arts that is required by state law.
Nearly nine in ten schools continue to fall short of complying with state requirements, the SRI report found.
“This report shows that some school and district leaders still don’t treat the visual and performing arts as an essential academic subject,” Tom DeCaigny, executive director of Create CA, said. “Dedicated time in the curriculum, appropriately trained teachers, and supplies and equipment are all needed for high-quality arts education.”
So what does it take or what will it take to put the arts, as well as STEM and other fields in front of students in terms of access and interest?
We know it’s going to take teachers, but are they being paid enough in extracurricular stipends or as an educator to take on the load of another task? What about community partnerships with artists, those in the STEM field and other professions?
When there are programs and instructors, what will it take to make students interested?
Going back to something 17-year old Isaac Wang said. It’s about starting early.
What ideas do you have?
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Leaders and staff at the schools and in Clovis Unified School District have been using a new notification system to reduce security response time on top of its other safety measures, including a new requirement to lock all classroom doors during the school day.
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His video begins comically, as he drops his cellphone in the toilet.
MORE FRESNO-AREA EDUCATION NEWS
Of 29 public and private elementary, middle and high schools chosen in California, including two Clovis Unified schools, were named National Blue Ribbon schools. Woods (Harold L.) Elementary and Granite Ridge Intermediate School were selected for overall academic excellence, superintendent Eimear O’Brien announced last week.
“They are the only schools in the Central Valley to be chosen for this award,” she said.
Vang Pao Elementary School’s 400 fourth through sixth grade students will participate in a college and career field trip and have a career day to meet geologists, biologists, engineers and other professionals, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Aera Energy, Fresno Unified announced last week.
“The majority of our students don’t often see or experience anything beyond their community,” Vang Pao Principal Yua Lee said. “They often don’t know about the many career options that are available to them.”
San Joaquin Valley College, a family-owned college providing a career-focused curriculum for students, will be celebrating its 45th anniversary on Oct. 7 with guest speakers that include Congressman Jim Costa, Congresswoman Connie Conway and Visalia Mayor Steven Nelsen; an award ceremony; campus tours and other events.
“This historic milestone marks nearly half a century of providing students with a pathway for success, and we are excited to celebrate with the greater community as we continue to find new ways to enrich the lives of all those we serve,” the college’s president Nick Gomez said.
Fresno State is among organizations that will receive grant money to support future health professionals from underrepresented regions and backgrounds, according to Fresno State News. The California Department of Health Care Access and Information announced $40.8 million in grant awards to 20 organizations, including Fresno State.
Fresno State will be awarded a $2.9 million grant over five years for its Health Professions Pathways Program.
The pathways program will be on campus with the university’s Health Careers Opportunity Program for underrepresented and/or disadvantaged high school and college students from the San Joaquin Valley who “aspire to give back to their communities” as primary care physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, optometrists, chiropractors, clinical lab scientists, clinical psychologist/behavioral health practitioners, podiatrists and public health specialists, Fresno State News said.
Health professionals are most likely to work where they graduated from or where they grew up, so getting more Fresno State grads into health professional programs is the “best available strategy” to address healthcare shortages in the Central Valley, said Lilia DeLaCerda, the lead investigator on the pathways program and director of the Health Careers Opportunity Program.
Current recruitment and academic programs will improve with peer mentoring, test prep, internships, academic advising and health conferences as well as internships and additional programs established at high schools and community colleges.
Other California State Universities awarded include California State University, Dominguez Hills ($3.3 million), San Diego State University ($2.5 million), and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt’s Sponsored Programs Foundation ($498,000).
STILL WANT MORE EDUCATION NEWS? HERE’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Julianna’s List
In nonpartisan race for California superintendent of public instruction, it’s all politics
Democratic incumbent Tony Thurmond and Republican challenger Lance Christensen have shared their views on partisan issues and received partisan endorsements, but they take different stances on how political parties have and should influence the race for the nonpartisan office. | Los Angeles Times
Hackers demand ransom from Los Angeles Unified
The district’s superintendent wouldn’t elaborate on how much the hackers are demanding or what data they’re in possession of. | EdSource
California home to largest number of student debt holders eligible for forgiveness
“In California, which has the largest number of student debt holders, more than 3.5 million individuals with student debt are eligible for up to $10,000 in debt relief.” | EdSource
Lasherica’s List
Gradient Learning Voices: ‘Discover who you are’
“Ramirez’s goal in speaking about the past is to spark his students’ curiosity about the world around them — and hopefully further their passion for learning.” | Gradient Learning
Most Parents Don’t Want Their Kids to Become Teachers, Poll Finds
But American adults express high levels of trust in local Schools and teachers | EducationWeek
When Did Equity Become a ‘Trigger’ Word?
Education equity may be inscribed in federal law, but that doesn’t mean everyone agrees on what it means. |
EducationWeek
State delays public release of English, math and science test score results to later this year
State denied EdSource’s request for data while telling districts data is ‘not embargoed’ and should be shared with parents and school boards. | EdSource
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