Pennsylvania Policy and Law

Related to Art

Education

Compiled by Leslie Gates April 2007

What are the requirements regarding how often visual art must be taught? Where to find the answer: PA Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Sections 4.21-23 (Appendix A of this document)

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.21.html (Elementary) http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.22.html (Middle) http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.23.html (High)

Answer summary:

There is no mandate regarding the amount of time art must be taught at any level. The arts are to be provided to every student every year in the elementary program. It may be provided as a separate course or as part of a unit within another course. The arts are to be provided to every student during their middle school program. Unlike the elementary requirements, the school code does not mandate this happens every year, but only mandates the students are offered this once during their middle level education. The arts are to be provided to every student during their high school program. More specific information is offered in the high school graduation requirements section below.

How many art credits are required for high school graduation?

Where to find the answer: PA Code Title 22 Chapter 57 Section 57.31 (Appendix B of this document)

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter57/s57.31.html

Answer summary: Students are required to complete one course in arts or humanities or both to meet state graduation requirements. Additionally, the school may grant credit towards graduation for other arts or humanities courses offered.

What is my responsibility to teach reading and writing?

Where to find the answer:

PA Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 4.83 (Appendix C of this document) http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.83.html

Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG) No. 31 (Appendix D of this document) http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/lib/teaching/031_ArtCSA_1405.pdf

Answer summary: You must assist your students in learning how to read, write, speak and listen according to the academic standards. Assist students in understanding the reading content area materials related to visual art subject matter. It is the duty of all teachers in all subject areas to assist students. The paragraphs at the beginning of the Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening are helpful and are found in Appendix C.

Page One

What am I qualified to teach with a certification in art education? Where to find the answer: Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG) No. 31 (Appendix D of this document)

http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/lib/teaching/031_ArtCSA_1405.pdf Answer Summary:

A person holding a valid PA certificate for The Arts is qualified to teach Art courses, humanities and multi-media design and programs in grades K through 12. The content of the fine art courses may include: crafts; ceramics; drawing; painting; sculpture; fiber/textiles/weaving; glass; metal/jewelry; digital and basic photography; basic graphics art design; printmaking; computer art; dynamic media (web page designing and sound interface); art conservation; art history; art management; art theory; art criticism; art techniques; studio art; and, intermedia art (techniques and processes for expressing emotions, ideas, or visions in 2 or 3 dimensions using a variety of materials/media simultaneously).

Does art instruction have to be delivered by a certified art teacher? Where to find the answer: Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG) No. 31 (Appendix D of this document)

http://www.teaching.state.pa.us/teaching/lib/teaching/031_ArtCSA_1405.pdf Answer Summary:

A person holding certification in Elementary Education may teach Art within a self-contained classroom when such instruction is integrated with the general education of that classroom. This means that if a school is operating as a one-room schoolhouse and all instruction is delivered through one person, than that person may be responsible for the teaching of art in this setting. If students leave the classroom for any other one subject, than a certified art teacher is to deliver the instruction.

What must I teach to my students? Where to find the answer: PA Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/lib/stateboard_ed/pdfarts.pdf

Answer Summary: The Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities became final upon their publication in the PA Bulletin on January 11, 2003. The Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities describe what students should know and be able to do at the end of grades 3, 5, 8 and 12 in the visual and performing arts and the understanding about humanities context within the arts. The arts include dance, music, theatre and visual arts. The arts and the humanities are interconnected through the inclusion of history, criticism

Page Two

and aesthetics. In addition, the humanities include literature and language, philosophy, social studies and world languages. The areas encompassed in the humanities such as jurisprudence, comparative religions and ethics are included among other standards documents. The interconnected arts and humanities areas are divided into these standards categories:

9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts

9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts 9.3 Critical Response 9.4 Aesthetic Response

The Academic Standards for the Arts and Humanities define the content for planned instruction that will result in measurable gains for all students in knowledge and skills and provide a basis of learning for continued study in the arts. The unifying themes of production, history, criticism and aesthetics are common to each area of study within the Academic Standards in the Arts and Humanities.

Do we need to give a standardized art test to find out if our students are achieving the standards? Where to find the answer: PA Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 4.52 (Appendix E of this document)

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.52.html

Answer Summary: Your district is required to design an assessment system to do the following: determine the degree to which students are achieving academic standards, use assessment results to improve curriculum and instructional practices, to guide instructional strategies and to develop future strategic plans, provide information requested by the Department regarding the achievement of academic standards, and provide summary information including results of assessments under this section to the general public regarding the achievement of students. However, it does not have to be in the form of a standardized test. The local assessment system can be designed to include a variety of assessment strategies which may include the following:

(1) Written work by students. (2) Scientific experiments conducted by students. (3) Works of art or musical, theatrical or dance performances by students.

(4) Other demonstrations, performances, products or projects by students related to specific academic standards.

(5) Examinations developed by teachers to assess specific academic standards. (6) Nationally-available achievement tests. (7) Diagnostic assessments.

(8) Evaluations of portfolios of student work related to achievement of academic standards.

(9) Other measures as appropriate, which may include standardized tests.

Page Three

APPENDIX A: SELECTED SECTIONS OF THE PA SCHOOL CODE RELATING TO REQUIRED ART INSTRUCTION

Elementary Schools PA School Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 21 states:

Planned instruction in the following areas shall be provided to every student every year in the primary and intermediate program. Planned instruction may be provided as separate course or as an instructional unit within another course or other interdisciplinary instructional activity. (1) Language arts, integrating reading, writing, phonics, spelling, listening, speaking, literature

and grammar, and information management, including library skills. (2) Mathematics, including problem-solving and computation skills. (3) Science and technology education, involving active learning experiences for students. (4) Environment and ecology education, involving active learning experiences for students. (5) Social studies (civics and government, economics, geography and history).

(6) Health, safety and physical education, including instruction in concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, physical fitness, movement concepts, motor skill development, safety in physical activity settings, and the prevention of alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse.

(7) The arts, including active learning experiences in art, music, dance and theatre. Middle Schools PA School Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 22 states: Planned instruction in the following areas shall be provided to every student in the middle level program. Planned instruction may be provided as a separate course or as an instructional unit within a course or other interdisciplinary instructional activity:

(1) Language arts, integrating reading, writing, listening, speaking, literature and grammar. (2) Mathematics, including mathematical reasoning, algebra and problem-solving.

(3) Science and technology, which involves active learning experiences and which may include laboratory experiments and, when appropriate, instruction in agriculture and agricultural science. (4) Social studies (civics and government, economics, geography and history, including the history and cultures of the United States, the Commonwealth, and the world). (5) Environment and ecology, including social, political and economic aspects of ecology and when appropriate, instruction in agriculture and agricultural sciences.

(6) Information skills, including access to traditional and electronic information sources, computer use and research.

(7) Health, safety and physical education, including instruction in concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, physical fitness, movement concepts, motor skill development, safety in physical activity settings, and the prevention of alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse.

(8) The arts, including art, music, dance and theatre. (9) Career education, including exposure to various career options and the educational preparation necessary to achieve those options. (10) Technology education, emphasizing practical application of academic skills and problem-solving experiences facilitated by technology. (11) Family and consumer science, including principles of consumer behavior and basic knowledge of child health and child care skills.

Appendix A

High Schools PA Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 23

Planned instruction in the following areas shall be provided to every student in the high school program. Planned instruction may be provided as a separate course or as an instructional unit within a course or other interdisciplinary instructional activity:

(1) Language arts, integrating reading, writing, listening, speaking, literature and grammar.

(2) Mathematics, including problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, algebra, geometry and concepts of calculus. (3) Science and technology, including participation in hands-on experiments and at least one laboratory science chosen from life sciences, earth and space sciences, chemical sciences, physical sciences and agricultural sciences. (4) Social studies (civics and government, economics, geography and history, including the history and cultures of the United States, the Commonwealth and the world). (5) Environment and ecology, including scientific, social, political and economic aspects of ecology.

(6) The arts, including art, music, dance, theatre and humanities. (7) Use of applications of microcomputers and software, including word processing, database, spreadsheets and telecommunications; and information skills, including access to traditional and electronic information sources, computer use and research. (8) Health, safety and physical education, including instruction in concepts and skills which affect personal, family and community health and safety, nutrition, physical fitness, movement concepts, motor skill development, safety in physical activity settings, and the prevention of alcohol, chemical and tobacco abuse. (9) Family and consumer science, including principles of consumer behavior and basic knowledge of child health and child care skills.

Appendix A

APPENDIX B: SELECTED SECTIONS OF THE PA SCHOOL CODE RELATING TO GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduation Requirements

PA State Code Title 22 Chapter 57 Section 31 In grades 9 through 12 every student graduating shall have completed 120 hours of instruction in the following 21 units of credit: 4 English 3 Mathematics 3 Science 3 Social Studies 1 Arts or Humanities or Both 5 Healthy and Physical Education

Student selects five additional courses from among those approved for credit toward graduation by the school including approved vocational education courses.

English and Physical Education shall be taught to every student yearly in grades 9 through 12. The following planned courses shall be required and taught to students:

(1) English—4 planned courses, each 120-clock hours. (2) Mathematics—3 planned courses, each 120-clock hours. (3) Science—3 planned courses including laboratory sciences, each 120-clock hours.

(4) Social Studies—3 planned courses, each 120-clock hours. History and Government of the United States and Pennsylvania shall be taught as required in section 1605 of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 16-1605).

(5) Health—one planned course. A school may offer any of the following planned courses as a unit of credit toward graduation: (1) Foreign Languages. (2) Vocational Education. (3) Business Education. (4) Industrial Arts. (5) Home Economics. (6) Computer Science. (7) Consumer Education. (8) Art. (9) Music.

The planned courses may be offered for less than 120 hours and course credit shall be awarded based on the fraction thereof.

Appendix B

APPENDIX C: SELECTED SECTIONS OF THE PA SCHOOL CODE RELATING TO TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE TEACHING OF READING, WRITING, SEPAKING, AND LISTENING

Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening PA Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 83

The language arts—Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening—are unique because they are processes that students use to learn and make sense of their world. Students do not read “reading”; they read about history, science, mathematics and other content areas as well as about topics for their interest and entertainment. Similarly, students do not write “writing”; they use written words to express their knowledge and ideas and to inform or entertain others.

Because of the unique nature of the language arts, all teachers in a school will use the Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Standards. The standards define the skills and strategies employed by effective readers and writers; therefore, all teachers will assist their students in learning them through multiple classroom situations in all the subject areas.

Appendix C

APPENDIX D: CERTIFICATION AND STAFFING POLICY GUIDELINES #31

Certification and Staffing Policy Guidelines (CSPG)

CSPG No. 31 Certification Staffing Assignment ART Certificate: A person holding a valid PA certificate for The Arts is qualified to teach Art courses, humanities and multi-media design and programs in grades K through 12. Certification Assignment: A person holding a valid PA certificate for Art is qualified to teach Art courses and content to include: crafts; ceramics; drawing; painting; sculpture; fiber/textiles/weaving; glass; metal/jewelry; digital and basic photography; basic graphics art design; printmaking; computer art; dynamic media (web page designing and sound interface); art conservation; art history; art management; art theory; art criticism; art techniques; studio art; and, intermedia art (techniques and processes for expressing emotions, ideas, or visions in 2 or 3 dimensions using a variety of materials/media simultaneously). A person holding certification in Elementary Education may teach Art within a self-contained classroom when such instruction is integrated with the general education of that classroom.

Special Consideration: An educator certified in this field may provide school staff development services regarding their collegial studies/skills, may serve in the role of mentor or advisor, and may assist students in understanding the “reading” content area materials related to this subject area.

Appendix D

APPENDIX E: SELECTED SECTIONS OF THE PA SCHOOL CODE RELATING TO LOCAL ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS

Local Assessment System PA School Code Title 22 Chapter 4 Section 4.52

Each school district, including charter schools, and AVTS shall design an assessment system to do the following:

1. Determine the degree to which students are achieving academic standards under § § 4.12 and 4.13(c)(3) (relating to academic standards; and strategic plans). The school district (including charter schools) or AVTS shall provide assistance to students not attaining academic standards at the proficient level or better and the assistance to be provided shall be indicated in the strategic plan under § 4.13.

2. Use assessment results to improve curriculum and instructional practices, to guide instructional strategies and to develop future strategic plans under § 4.13.

3. Provide information requested by the Department regarding the achievement of academic standards, which does not include student names, identification numbers or individually identifiable information.

4. Provide summary information including results of assessments under this section to the general public regarding the achievement of students, which does not include student names, identification numbers or individually identifiable information.

The local assessment system shall be implemented no later than 1 year after its strategic plan or revision is approved by the board of school directors under § 4.13. The local assessment system shall be described in the district’s (including charter schools) or AVTS’s strategic plan under § 4.13(b)(5). The local assessment system shall be designed to include a variety of assessment strategies which may include the following:

(1) Written work by students. (2) Scientific experiments conducted by students. (3) Works of art or musical, theatrical or dance performances by students.

(5) Other demonstrations, performances, products or projects by students related to specific academic standards.

(5) Examinations developed by teachers to assess specific academic standards. (6) Nationally-available achievement tests. (7) Diagnostic assessments.

(9) Evaluations of portfolios of student work related to achievement of academic standards.

(9) Other measures as appropriate, which may include standardized tests.

Individual test information shall be maintained in a student’s educational record in a manner consistent with section 438 of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.A § 1232g) and 34 CFR Part 99 (relating to family educational rights and privacy). Children with disabilities shall be included in the local assessment system, with appropriate § 4.52. Local assessment system.

Appendix E