Hollywood stars and Sacramento politicians Thursday urged schools in California to pay the kind of attention to the arts that is given to mathematics and reading.

California has one art teacher for every 737 students, according to the state Department of Education. In Los Angeles County, one art teacher is available for every 1,200 students. Many school districts are weathering severe budget deficits, and few people expect arts programs to expand.

The county Office of Education, acknowledging its deficiencies in the arts, next week is scheduled to release a blueprint to improve such instruction. The plan, in conjunction with the county Arts Commission and Board of Supervisors, will call for more required courses, better training for teachers, more links to nonprofit and professional arts groups, and more funding by local districts. Details of the plan will be released on Wednesday.

School reform should bring back the music

By Acel Moore, Philadelphia Inquirer

Every once in while a musical experience - other than listening to my child practice piano and violin - brings forth memories of a childhood filled with music. <a href=http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/columnists/5739174.htm target=_blank>more</a>

Arts students brandish their weapons onstage

Julie E. Washington
Cleveland Plain Dealer

The rehearsal room was stuffy and hot and smelled of old McDonald's bags. It was 4 o'clock on a Friday afternoon, and even though the weather wasn't great, the Cleveland School of the Arts kids were ready for rehearsal to end. <a href=http://www.cleveland.com/artsandevents/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/105292260133920.xml target=_blank>more</a>

The art of the matter
Laura Bleiberg, Orange County Register

...
The Artists in the Schools program is one example of what's known as an arts education partnership. Such partnerships bring together artists, arts organizations and schools to give students what is touted as an in-depth, enhanced artistic experience.

Programs such as these have become increasingly important in the varied landscape of arts education, and increasingly popular as well. With public education struggling to stave off steep budget cuts and forced to cope with the extra emphasis on standardized testing, it has become difficult if not impossible for schools to add their own art, music, drama and dance teachers. Partnerships are sometimes hailed as an alternative to these arts classes. Adding to the desirability of partnerships is that the arts organizations pick up most of the tab for the program; they, in turn, have diverse sources to go to for funding, which has provided a significant impetus in the growth of such programs.
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Budget cuts trip up high school dance classes
By Meera Pal
STAFF WRITER

The students in Natasha Clarke's class just want to dance.

Since the beginning of the school year, 70 girls in Campolindo High School's dance class have been learning to swing, salsa, and hip-hop like professionals, in preparation for their final dance performance. Young women who once thought the jitterbug was some kind of insect are dancing with visions of Fred and Ginger in their heads.

But earlier this month, the girls heard something that stopped them in their tracks. Not only was there not going to be a final performance, but the class won't even be offered next year, the latest victims of the state budget crisis.