Bill > H0083

This bill, known as the "Arts for All Students Act," mandates that the Department of Education (DOE) annually publish a report detailing student achievement, learning gains, and graduation rates for students participating in fine arts education compared to those who do not, with specific attention to students in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs, exceptional student education (ESE) programs, and those receiving free or reduced-price meals. The bill defines fine arts curriculum to include visual arts, music, dance, and theatre courses, and establishes an advisory committee of fine arts education experts to develop criteria and a formula for designating "Arts for All Students" model schools and model school districts. The DOE will then use these recommendations to annually award these designations based on data such as the availability of fine arts courses, student enrollment in these courses, teacher certification levels, and dedicated classroom spaces, with all this data also being included in the annual report.