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Remarks by Executive Director, Richard Kessler,On the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)United States Department of EducationJanuary 20
th
, 2010
On behalf of everyone associated with The Center for Arts Education, we would like tothank Secretary Duncan, Assistant Deputy Secretary Shelton, and The United StatesDepartment of Education for this opportunity to present ideas about how arts education,as a key part of a well-rounded education, can be supported through the reauthorizationof the Elementary and Secondary Education Act."Arts education plays an essential part in children's education. It enrichestheir learning experience and builds skills that they can apply across thecurriculum. The arts can play a significant role in programs that extendthe school day and the school year.""As we think about NCLB reauthorization...I really want to think abouthow we can create incentives for folks not to narrow the curriculum, andcontinue to give a complete, comprehensive set of activities andexperiences for children."--
Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education
The reauthorization ESEA is the perfect opportunity to
act
upon these statements in aprofound and historic way, to send a loud and clear message to everyone that artseducation: is
not
an expendable subject; is
not
left for out of school time only; and will
not
be denied for the children that need it the most. ESEA has already declared that artseducation is a core subject. The upcoming reauthorization is the place, and
now
is thetime to make these words a reality for every public school child—and particularly studentsfrom low-income backgrounds n America.Since ESEA is and has always been focused on children in need, it is vital to consider this: the children who are provided arts education the most in the home, are provided itthe most at school. Conversely, the children who receive it the least at home, receive itthe least in school.Moreover, the narrowing of the curriculum for needy children was clearly documented bya February 2009 report by the Government Accounting Office.The reauthorization of ESEA should:
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