Archives for November 2008

When I was working as an arts education consultant in the early 90s, during pretty difficult fiscal times for schools, principals were focused on integrating the arts across the curriculum. I know this, because during this period I was involved in focus groups and interviews with hundreds of principals and school district officials across the country.It was pretty simple: … [Read more...] about Economic Cycles and Arts Education

I can't tell you how many times I have heard supporters of arts education say: "we need a research project that will prove beyond any doubt what we already know about the benefits of arts education. Then we will really make headway."It's the silver bullet theory. In this case, it's the incontrovertible piece of research that will flip the switch. The silver bullet theory has … [Read more...] about Is There a Silver Bullet to Fix Education?

Thanks to New York State politics, the cuts to NYSCA as proposed by Governor Patterson will not be taking place. Phew....With state budget deficits growing, what happened here may be worth noting carefully, very carefully.It raises the question of exactly how prepared we all are to advocate during a period of budget reductions. In this instance, had the New York State … [Read more...] about Update on NYSCA Funding Cuts

The budget for the State of New York has a big hole in it, this year and next. Governor David Patterson has proposed major cuts, some call it amputations, to the NYSCA budget.A cut of $2.6 million occurred just a short time ago. Now the Governor has proposed an additional cut of $7 million. All totaled, this is a near 20 percent cut, reducing the NYSCA budget to $39 million, … [Read more...] about The Bleeding Edge: 20 Percent Mid-Year Cuts to the New York State Council on the Arts

Michelle Rhee, DC Schools Chancellor, has unveiled non-tenure track pilot program for teachers in the DC public school system. With the help of private foundations, Rhee will offer this non-tenure track for teachers, in exchange for significantly increased pay.Teacher tenure: it's the boogie-man of school administrators and free marketeers. But you know, it's like anything … [Read more...] about To Go Where No Public School Teacher Has Gone Before: No Tenure