Scott Shuler has considered and shared these 6 priorites which he thinks Visual Arts educators should focus on for the near future. Some of these require CAEA membership staffing in committtees and some require politcal actions. CAEA is committed to share the finances for a lobbyist along with Connecticut Art Administrator Association and the Connecticut Music Educators Association. Scott has communicated all of these points in writing to leaders in the CSDE, including Commissioner Sternberg and will be following up by meeting with them soon.
If you are interested in becoming involve with any of these issues, please contact me and I will make sure you are placed where your precious time will be best served to promote this cause. Thank you for your support.
1. High school graduation requirement in the arts (Such a requirement could also provide a window of opportunity for growing dance and theater programs)
2. Fill the state visual arts consultant position, which has been vacant for more than 10 years
3. Replace the current #110 "Unique Endorsement" (miscellaneous) category of certification offered for dance and theatre with formal dance and theatre certification, similar to that already available in visual arts and music.
4. Include arts- and media-rich items in CMT and CAPT tests. (The arts need to be in our assessments. Currently there are a few arts educators on the CAPT interdisciplinary writing committee.)
5. Collect data about the status of arts education in our state. (The 1999-2000 State of the Arts survey has been used widely by teachers, but needs to be repeated soon, so that we can have current data and monitor our progress over the past several years. There is receptivity in the education department to doing so. )
6. Fund the Connecticut's summer arts institute. (Close to 10 % of the state’s arts teachers have attended past workshops. Other states commit a portion of their professional development funding to arts education; Connecticut should do the same.)