The American Teacher is the bi-monthly magazine published by the American Federation of Teachers. The February edition has a cover story on arts education in the United States. And it's quite a swell cover!Click here to read it. For some reason, there is this underlying element in the arts that makes you feel you have to justify what you're doing, says Karla Back, who teaches … [Read more...] about The American Teacher Magazine Cover Story on Arts Education
NCLB
The True Nature of Mayoral Control Strikes Hard for 19 School Communities
Sometimes people lose track of what mayoral control means, particularly the pure form that we have in New York City. In New York City, it means that the mayor controls the schools and can do whatever he wants, for he appoints the majority of the the local school board (the Panel for Educational Policy) and can remove his appointees at anytime for any reason whatsoever.The vote … [Read more...] about The True Nature of Mayoral Control Strikes Hard for 19 School Communities
Oh NCLB, Where Art Thou?
On January 20th, the USDOE is hosting an information session for arts education constituents concerning the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), otherwise known during the Bush administration as No Child Left Behind.In regards to the arts, I know no one who holds the view that NCLB was anything but bad legislation. In a GAO report last year, it … [Read more...] about Oh NCLB, Where Art Thou?
Art, A Music Video by Andrea Dorfman
I love this video. My daughter Sophie and I were watching this morning and she agrees, giving it a four and a half year old's seal of approval.The director is the artist Andrea Dorfman. The music is by Tanya Davis. Click away, it's a sweet and appealing video, and even if you don't like the style of music, I dare you, double dare you, to say you don't like the message. … [Read more...] about Art, A Music Video by Andrea Dorfman
US Secretary of Education Is Convinced that Arts Education Raises HS Graduation Rates
''I'm convinced when students are engaged in the arts, graduation rates go up, dropout rates go down,'' Duncan said.One thing we do know about graduation rates and arts education in New York City public schools, is that the schools that offer more arts have higher rates of graduation. It's in this report.And, according to The New York Times, Duncan indicated that the … [Read more...] about US Secretary of Education Is Convinced that Arts Education Raises HS Graduation Rates