Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2010

Report of the


P-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE


CULTURAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE


to


The Board of Regents


December 14, 2010

            Your P-12 Education and Cultural Education Committees held a joint meeting on December 13, 2010.  All members were present, except for Vice Chancellor Cofield, who was excused.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Panel Discussion

• Carrie Haymond, Music Teacher, Genesee Community Charter School at the Rochester Museum (Grades K-6), Rochester 
• Ramon M. Gonzalez, School Principal, MS 223: The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology, Bronx
• Suzanne Pazienza, Arts Teacher, Schodack Central School District (K-12), Castleton 
• Brenda Pacheco, Principal, and Alan Tirre, Arts Director, Rochester School of the Arts (HS), Rochester

The panel presented overviews of their programs and answered questions relating to Arts integration programs and their connection to school improvement and school turnaround.  Discussion focused on how these schools integrate arts education into core courses so that students can benefit from a quality arts education while still meeting the standards.  The arts programs discussed at the meeting demonstrate success through their connection to the community, increased attendance, cultural diversity, and quality programs that prepare students to be successful in college and careers.  The panel was provided the following discussion questions to help guide the conversation:

• Would a graduation credential in the Arts be helpful in motivating students and signaling students' skills to post-secondary options?
• What courses, teacher skills, performance opportunities, etc. are required to build high school programs that effectively prepare students to pursue post-secondary opportunities in the arts?
• How might academic courses be effectively integrated with arts courses at the middle and high school level?
• What unique preparation do secondary-level arts teachers need?
• If students were to be awarded credit for an arts internship, what assessments could be used to ensure rigor?
• What are the keys to a successful middle school arts program?  A successful high school arts program?                                                      

Art Commencement Certificate by NYC

Paul King, Executive Director, Office of Arts and Special Projects, New York City Department of Education presented information to the Board of Regents on the Chancellor’s Arts Endorsed Diploma.  To receive this designation on their diploma, graduating seniors must complete a five unit sequence in dance, music, theater or visual arts.  They must also pass a rigorous Commencement Assessment in their arts discipline, which includes 50 multiple choice questions, a 250-300 word essay, live performances, and an exit project-portfolio of work. The Committee discussed the benefits of offering the arts endorsement at school districts and BOCES outside of New York City, including validation of student commitment and the added endorsement on college transcripts.

Descriptions of each discipline assessment are available online at http://schools.nyc.gov/offices/teachlearn/arts/curriculum.html.