« Arts Education/Census Project Featured on NJN | Main | Letter from Commissioner Davy »

March 21, 2006

Memo to All New Jersey Arts Educators

Date: March 21, 2006

To: All New Jersey Arts Educators (Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts)

From: Bob Morrison – Music for All Foundation on behalf of the New Jersey Arts Education
Census Project Partners

Re: New Jersey Visual and Performing Arts Education Survey

On Monday, March 20, 2006 acting Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy sent a letter to all public school principals, superintendents, county superintendents announcing the start of the New Jersey Visual and Performing Arts Education Survey (NJVPAE). This is the most intensive and comprehensive look at arts education ever undertaking in the history of our country.

The NJVPAE Survey is part of the New Jersey Department of Education’s plans to survey all core curriculum content areas not included in the statewide assessment program. The NJVPAE Survey will be conducted from April 3, 2006 through April 30, 2006. This survey is the first time the Department of Education has collected information about the implementation of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Visual and Performing Arts and examined the depth and breadth of their implementation in New Jersey’s public schools.

The NJVPAE will measure course offerings, student participation, resources, policies, instructional support, and community resources in New Jersey’s schools. The survey is part of a broader Arts Education Census Project, a collaborative partnership between the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, and the Music for All Foundation. The Census Project will gather, evaluate and disseminate qualitative and quantitative data regarding arts education in the state of New Jersey. This marks the first time the department has examined the depth and breadth of visual and performing arts instruction across the state.

HERE IS WHERE YOU COME IN:

In the Commissioner’s letter, she advises administrators to work with their arts supervisors. We are urging all of you to contact your principal, superintendent, and/or arts supervisor to volunteer your help in the gathering of the requested information. Your participation will help ensure we have the best possible information for evaluation.

The results of this survey will be previewed in the summer of 2006 with a final report presented in September of 2006. These results will help the New Jersey State Department of Education and our project partners understand the impact of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Arts on school programs, the level of student involvement with the arts, and how to align resources to areas of need.

You may preview the survey here!

The formal survey documents, instructions and online data entry will be available from the New Jersey Department of Education on April 3rd. Please check with your administrators for access information and additional guidance.

Thank you for your support and cooperation. This is a historic moment that promises to advance arts education in our state!

Posted by musicforall at March 21, 2006 3:02 PM