TAKING CHARGE FOR ARTS EDUCATION IN ALASKA:
THREE YEAR (2006 – 2009) ACTION PLAN
On April 28-29, 2006 the Alaska State Council on the Arts and Artist in Schools Program hosted a statewide Arts Education Leadership Summit in Anchorage. The last Summit was held in 2001 in Kenai, at which participants set three priorities for action and advocacy on behalf of arts education in the state. At the recent 2006 Summit eighteen select Alaskan educators and supporters, including Commissioner of Education and Early Development Roger Sampson reviewed previous priorities and crafted the beginnings of a new Three Year Action Plan.
The Action Plan contained five goals, listed in no priority order. When asked to rank the fifteen priorities suggested during the two day event these five goals received the highest ratings. Each goal will be reviewed by a core committee of volunteers from committed arts organizations who will spearhead actions during the 2006 -7 school year. Their first action will be to review the timelines suggested in the Plan, make adjustments as needed and to elaborate on the resources necessary to implement action and activities in relation to each goal. Participants from the 2006 Leadership Summit have been invited by ASCA Executive Director Charlotte Fox to chair the five committees. Committee membership will come from interested advocates and members of those organizations associated with arts education. They include:
| AAEC Alaska Arts Education Consortium | AAAE Alaska Alliance for Arts Education |
| ASCA Alaska State Council on the Arts | ASAA Alaska School Activities Association |
| AIS Artist in Schools Program | AMEA Alaska Music Educators Association |
| AAE Alaska Arts Educators Association | MENC Music Educators National Conference AASB Alaska Association of School Boards |
Each committee is expected to meet via teleconference and email correspondence throughout the year. The Council will host a follow-up meeting in Anchorage in May, 2007, at which time committees will report progress and further actions. The Council and boards of supporting organizations will receive periodic updates as requested and as actions are set in motion.
DRAFT #2, June 2006
TAKING CHARGE FOR ARTS EDUCATION IN ALASKA: THREE YEAR (2006 – 9) ACTION PLAN
GOAL A: Develop and produce Performance Standards and Grade Level Expectations in the Arts
ACTIONS NEEDED |
TIMELINE |
RESOURCES NEEDED |
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Convene statewide committee, with reps from all 4 disciplines, to draft standards and GLEs. Get comments on drafts from field etc. Revise and re-send for more comments. Finalize with input from EED staff. |
2007-2010 GLEs |
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Review other state’s performance standards and GLEs |
2006 - 8 |
Suggested resource = |
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Conduct Focus Groups or Panels at Principals’ Conference to generate interest |
2007 - 9 |
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Align draft performance standards with content standards. |
2007 - 9 |
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As work is in progress draft suggested performance assessment ideas aligned with standards. |
2009-11 |
MENC performance assessment standards, aligned with national standards. |
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Update State Board of Education of action, progress in relation to development of standards. |
2007 - 9 |
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Create visual displays/posters of standards for classrooms/schools. |
2008 - 9 |
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Involve AASB to develop a model performance standard policy that local boards could adopt (e.g. Wellness Policy) |
2008 - 9 |
GOAL B: Develop a Principal’s Initiative to educate and support administrators to implement school wide arts instruction.
ACTION |
TIMELINE |
RESOURCES NEEDED |
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Recruit credible, respected leader to head committee for this goal. |
2006 - 7 |
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Research principal initiatives in other states (e.g. Washington) |
2006 - 8 |
Volunteer/s to do research |
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Survey principals re: interests, incentives, status of arts in their schools, etc. |
2006 - 7 |
Web link to complete surveys. |
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Conduct Focus Groups or Panels at Principals’ Conference to generate interest |
2007 - 8 |
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Identify principals whose schools are currently noted for arts programs/instruction. |
2006 - 7 |
Organizational members, ASAA, school districts to nominate principals |
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Clearly make the case for principals about how arts will help entire school, each school. |
2007 - 8 |
MENC (website) talking points for music education |
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Research cost of Principals’ Initiative. |
2007 - 8 |
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Select and recognize outstanding principals at Principals’ Conference, with $$ for school arts program/airline ticket to conference, etc. |
2009 - 10 |
EED newsletters, to advertise and support |
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Do presentations at UA principal leadership programs. |
2007 - 8 |
“Canned” presentation to use at Principals’ Conference, UA courses, Arts conferences |
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Recruit and bring principals to summer institutes. (at least to last few days) |
2006 - 7 |
AASB scholarships |
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Include a panel of principals at state arts conferences. |
2007 - 8 |
Principal volunteers |
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Produce publication: Profiles of 6 principals who have strongly, obviously supported the arts in their schools. |
2007 - 8 |
$ for production crew, editor, printing, publication(s), dissemination via websites, etc. |
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Find supportive business people to talk to principals about the importance of the arts in schools. |
2006 - 8 |
MENC’s publication w/quotes from national business leaders about the importance of the arts in community and work force. |
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“Reconnect administrators to their creativity” through training, other opportunities. |
2007 - 8 |
$ to recruit principals to attend summer institutes |
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Use adapted WA. State list of attributes as a “scan” or criteria for arts programs in schools. Recognize exemplary schools. |
2007 - 8 |
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Approach BP, Rasmuson for funding of Principals’ Initiative, funding an awards/recognition program. |
2006 - 7 |
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Investigate possibility of BP “Leaders of Excellence” award, with focus on arts ed. |
2006 - 7 |
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Produce publication of model school programs; distribute widely |
2007 - 8 |
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Research Superintendents – find out who has artistic background, who are supporters. |
2006 - 7 |
AASA Executive Director support |
GOAL C: Promote a high school graduation requirement in the arts/cultural arts.
ACTION |
TIMELINE |
RESOURCES NEEDED |
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Research/present data about other state’s arts requirements. |
By July 30, 2006 |
MENC already has?? |
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Seek endorsement of Native corporations, tribal councils. |
2007 - 12 |
Committee of 3 to prepare draft letter of introduction, endorsement to share, get feedback from committee, present to Native corps. $ to travel to present to Native artists, councils (IRA councils etc) |
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Identify agencies/organizations outside Alaska to help develop strategy and advocate. |
2006 - 7 |
Michigan Consultant for Fine Arts (Ana Cardona) |
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Collect list of Alaskan school districts that already require 1 credit for graduation. |
By June 30, 2006 |
Online access |
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Research # of students in select districts who already meet this requirement (Anchorage, Fairbanks, etc) |
2006 - 7 |
1 reliable contact person/district to get this info. Access to student class registration records. |
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Establish statewide contact list |
July,2006 |
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Brainstorm and define mechanisms by which students in small, rural schools can meet this requirement (i.e. Distance delivery) |
2006 - 8 |
Find out which districts are already using distance delivery for other subjects. Dan DeRoux distance delivery visual arts course from Galena as sample. Anchorage Daily News article, 5/16/06. |
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Develop statewide list of how schools are already providing for arts courses delivery. |
2006 - 7 |
AAEA has 2 volunteers. |
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Consider/research alternative credentials for Native Elders, etc to deliver courses. |
2008 -12 |
Meeting w/ EED teacher certification staff and UA administrators to investigate Rural reps from AAEC to generate list of suggestions |
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Research dual credit opportunities that currently exist, and options for future. |
2008 -12 |
Time to present as opportunity at Principals’ Conference |
GOAL D: Create Curriculum Resources Clearinghouse and develop Talent Bank of Arts Specialists, Mentors, Coaches, Teaching Artists, Supportive Administrators.
ACTIONS NEEDED |
TIMELINE |
RESOURCES NEEDED |
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Sponsor workshops for artists on arts infusion into curriculum/instruction (research WA. Opportunities) |
2007 - 12 |
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Identify schools where infusion of arts could serve as “lab schools” for newly trained artists. |
2006 - 12 |
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Involve principals in workshops about infusion: benefits to students, school |
2007 - 12 |
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Collect curriculum resources from other states, Alaskan districts. |
2007 - 12 |
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Create and maintain resource website. Update on regular basis. Link to ASCA, EED, AAEC |
2007 - 12 |
Place to house the clearinghouse. |
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Identify Talent Bank – administrators, Arts Specialists, Coaches (Refer to WA. List of attributes for C.O. Arts Specialists) |
2006 - 12 |
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Advertise Coaches to assist in curriculum implementation- artists, Teaching Artists, Arts Specialists etc. |
2008 - 12 |
GOAL E: Advocate for Arts Education Specialist in Department of Education and Early Development
ACTION |
TIMELINE |
RESOURCES NEEDED |
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Finalize job description, after investigating comparable positions. Clarify primary responsibilities. (Ensure this person is linked to national arts organizations) |
By July 30, 2006 |
(Nancy Carr, Visual and Performing Arts Consultant, CA Dept of Ed. - 916-323-2807) |
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Define alternative funding sources to support position. |
2006 - 7 |
Businesses |
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Determine pros and cons of locating position in EED, Juneau or ASCA, Anchorage |
2006 - 7 |
Committee, interested others, Arts Education Boards |
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Clearly articulate why we need this position. Get supporters to sign agreement. |
2008 – 9 |
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Conduct a broad-based statewide recruitment process to get qualified people to apply. (Statewide and National search?) |
2009 -10 |
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Discuss options with Commissioner |
2007 - 8 |
Draft #2, June 2006
For more information on the Alaska Arts Education Consortium, contact Cristine Crooks (907-364-2290 • ccrooks@gci.net)
© 2006 Alaska Arts Education Consortium
All education programs through the School of Education at University of Alaska Southeast are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, a performance-based teacher accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education recognized by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.