Some History:
In 1999, the LAUSD board adopted resolution and began implementing the Arts Prototype Program - now called the Arts Program - towards the goal that every child in grades K-6 receives an Arts Education.
In 2001, the "No Child Left Behind Act" and the State of California Department of Education defined the arts as "core" curriculum.
In 2009, the funding for schools to purchase arts materials and resources, arts outreach programs, assemblies and fields trips to local museums was eliminated.
What the future holds:
In 2010, the district is projecting a 50% cut to the arts program in ALL LAUSD elementary schools.
In 2011, the arts program could be 100% eliminated for ALL LAUSD elementary schools.
What the LAUSD Arts Program is:
Now in every LAUSD Elementary School, the Arts Program's mission is to:
Provide your child with direct arts instruction in music, dance, theatre and visual arts by highly-qualified, fully-credentialed professional arts educators.
Provide training for our classroom teachers so they can integrate the arts into all core curriculum including math, and reading.
Promote higher level critical thinking, positive social interaction, problem-solving skills, and the curiosity, imagination and reflection necessary for your child's success in the future.
Connect with the greater Los Angeles arts community to support arts in the schools and bring LAUSD students out into the arts community.
Full Petition Text:
"We can't afford to cut Arts Education for our children and the children of the future!!!
* We have come too far as a District - not only in restoring arts education, but in becoming a nationally recognized leader in arts education - to step back now.
* Arts are a primary, central, academic core subject that must be funded as consistently as math, language arts, science and history/social science.
* The proposed cuts to the Elementary Arts Program will have deep ramifications to arts programs at the secondary level, resulting in displaced teachers and leaving students less prepared for arts instruction in middle and high school.
* We do not think it reasonable for LAUSD students and employees to shoulder the entire responsibility for our statewide budget deficits with salary
reductions, staff reductions and cuts to vital instructional programs and support services. We must all share the obligation of the education of our children.
* We advocate that non-essential, non-school based services, and any non-instructional program be considered for cuts prior to approving any reductions to instructional programs, including the Elementary Arts Program.
* We advocate that the LAUSD Education Foundation (501(c)(3) non-profit) be utilized to help support and preserve the integrity of the Elementary Arts
Program.
* We advocate for statewide and local legislative changes, including local parcel taxes, in order to create more sustainable and locally controlled funding sources for education.
* We as concerned citizens, in endorsing the principles and proposals set forth above, are holding Superintendent Cortines and the Board of Education to their commitment to arts education, and to the consistent funding of LAUSD Arts Education Programs now and into the future."