This paper looks at the National Standards for
Arts Education as a place to start in assessing any state's interest in and support of arts education. The paper explains that to assess New Jersey's positioning on the canvas of American arts education, the debate and its contributions were analyzed for the past decade; the findings were unequivocal that arts education has a place not only in humanities teaching, but also in creating an atmosphere in which all children can achieve. It explains that wealthier
school districts are more likely to retain arts programs under pressure, although it is the disadvantaged districts that would most benefit. The entire issue is assessed in terms of the possibilities post-NCLB, and the current progress of the states in terms of adopting the National Standards for Arts Education are also discussed. The writer concludes that it appears that New Jersey has at least nominally found a niche among the states more dedicated to providing arts education. It remains to be seen whether that education will be of the 'media' sort, or the more substantive arts education that demands continued student/
teacher involvement in pursuit of generalized goals contributive to developing an aesthetic sense and possibly some mastery in an arts area. Chapter I: Statement of Problem National Standards for Arts Education: History The Standards Themselves Budget Issues Quantitative Information Qualitative Findings Chapter II: Literature Review Merits of Fine Arts Education Educational Reform and Arts Education How to Conduct Arts Education The Standards Themselves References Appendix A: New Jersey Standards for Arts Education Appendix B: U.S. Hunger in the Year 2000 Appendix C: Jasmine's Story List of Tables Table 2.1: States requiring arts credits for high school graduation Table 2.2: Mandatory Status of Arts Education by State List of Figures Figure 1.1: Reasons to Support Arts Education: New Jersey Figure 1.2: Budgeted Funds for Arts Expenditures by Type of School Figure 1.3: Budgeted Funds for Arts Expenditures by School Size Figure 1.4: Budgeted Funds for Arts Expenditures by Region
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