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WHAT'S NEW
Advocacy Toolkit
Recently the Kennedy Center for the Arts awarded MAAE with a grant to develop an advocacy toolkit and provide support to arts directors and leaders across the state. With additional funding from the Boston Foundation and Massachusetts Cultural Council, MAEC (NALC's newly formed advoacay arm that will carry on MAAE 's work) is in the beginning phase of the toolkit project. During this development phase, MAEC seeks the input of those in the position to advocate for arts in schools to find out what types of resources are most needed and wanted. In the second phase, MAEC and collaborating individuals and groups will adapt and develop these resources, after which they will be reviewed and piloted. During the final phase, the toolkit will be disseminated online, during the Massachusetts Arts Education Partnership Institute, and across the state. MAEC will provide assistance in using the resources and advocating.
If you are interested in learning more about this project, please call us: 508-650-5044 or email info@artslearning.org
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MassCORE
Massachusetts Cultural Council recently reported that the staff of the Massachusetts Department of Education has recommended that the Board of Education include one credit in the arts as part of the MassCORE recommended high school curriculum. The original MassCORE proposal listed the arts as an elective, rather than a core requirement recommendation. The Board of Education will vote on the recommendation at its November 27 meeting.
It is never too late to call or write to your local representative in order to advocate for the arts. Go to the Americans for the Arts website to find information on your local representative.
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Massachusetts Commissioner of Education
The Massachusetts Board of Education expects to begin interviewing finalists for the position of Commissioner of Education in December and hopes to name the next Commissioner early in 2008. The Massachusetts State Board of Education and the National Association of State Boards of Education invite you to share your views on the selection of the Commissioner of Education.
* What are the most critical education issues in Massachusetts?
* What are the skills, characteristics, and competencies the next Commissioner will need to address these issues?
* What advice would you give to the Board as they move through this process?
To contribute your opinion, submit your response to the questions above at: MAsearch@nasbe.org.
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Senate Passes Arts Education Funding
The Americans for the Arts reports on 10/29/2007 that the U.S. Senate has passed their FY2008 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill by roll call vote, 75-19. This bill funds a large number of domestic programs including the Arts in Education programs at the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The Senate bill provides $36.3 million for Arts Education compared to the $39 million level of the House bill. It is the first time in the history of the program that the House appropriations bill has provided funding for arts education!
Write your Senators at the Americans for the Arts website and urge them to support the higher funding levels in the House version of the bill today!
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Presidential Candidate Position Statements on Education
American Association of School Administrators (AASA) has gathered the education position statements from 17 presidential candidates. The statements were collected from each candidate's homepage. Read the statements here.
States' Arts Policy Update
Are you interested in knowing what other states have been doing to support arts education? Visit the Education Commission of the States (ECS) website to read a report of states' arts policies.
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