Regardless of the wealth of documentation of extensive, long-term research into the incredible power and efficacy of arts in education in regards to student engagement, academic outcomes, attendance, mental health, and post-high school preparedness for career & college, many, many schools at all grade levels still do not meet CA Ed Code requirements for arts in schools.
Far more troubling is that, after the incredible efforts behind devising, supporting, and passing Prop 28 in CA with unprecedented majority support for both arts and education legislation, a shocking number of schools - and even districts - are misusing Prop 28 funds - and many are doing so despite intense efforts and advocacy by students and teachers to grow and expand offerings.
Yes, it’s a tough year and scary look forward financially, but Prop 28 was passed to protect arts in education especially during these lean years.
Elective offerings continue to expand at schools, but not in the arts, because they’re not funded and not prioritized despite their documented importance. Class enrollment numbers are often cited as the reason why programs are cut - but programs are cut without properly using post-Covid funding and now Prop 28 funds meant to provide the consistency necessary to grow and strengthen the arts programs and build strong enrollment.
It’s not enough, clearly, to pass the legislation. We all need to demand that Prop 28 funds be spent as mandated in the legislation - with proof.
All doesn’t just mean students or teachers - it means our smallest to our largest companies, businesses, organizations, it means our leaders in government and industry, it means anyone who cares about the strength of our schools and thus our great state into the future.
Spotlight on our Strengthening the Sector grantees! 📣 This summer Create CA and Arts for LA joined with 83 community-based organizations to raise concerns that some California school districts are:
🚨 Making decisions without input from their communities, and
🚨 Not complying with Proposition 28’s supplement requirements by using their funds to replace existing arts education funding.
Read the letter they sent to the California Governor, State Superintendent, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker to express those concerns: https://lnkd.in/eRQkqhFe
#AdvocacyinAction #Artsed #Artseducation #CreativeCalifornia #ArtStudent #ArtTeacher #EducationEquity #Equity #artedmatters #StrengtheningTheSector #Prop28