Inside This Issue
Welcome to the June Issue of the California County Superintendents Arts Initiative Newsletter!
- California County Superintendents Arts Initiative News including a report from the director about highlights from our CoP this year, a new resource on teacher credentialing, and events coming up this fall including our next Community of Practice and Regional and County Leads Meeting dates.
- Featured County News from Imperial County Office of Education.
- Summer Events from San Diego and Riverside County Office of Education, and the Fender Foundation
- Save the Dates for Prop 28 Events coming up this Fall from Alameda, San Mateo, and Butte County Offices of Education
Arts Initiative News
Directors Report
On June 2, the California County Superintendents Arts Initiative held the final Arts Education Funding Implementation Community of Practice (CoP) meeting for the 2022-23 school year. We started this CoP in response to the passage of Proposition 28, the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The initial intention was to identify problems of implementation, and share ideas and best practices as potential solutions. Over time, several highlights emerged from the 2023 CoP.
Funding
While it was Prop 28 that brought our group together we quickly broadened our focus to a big picture concept of prioritizing the weaving together of multiple funding streams to build healthy arts education programs. After all, Prop 28 is meant to supplement arts education in schools. It brings a wonderful opportunity to expand what is offered and engage with students and families to determine need and increase culturally relevant arts education program offerings.
Furthermore, all funding streams can be used to provide instruction both during the day and outside of the regular school day. After all, creativity and the benefits of arts education are not confined only to the instructional minutes that make up the school day. One county shared their findings that the students they surveyed wanted more arts before school, at lunch, and after school. Consider how to provide arts education in expanded learning – not to replace arts during the school day – but to increase what students may access outside of the school day and enhance what they are learning in their regular arts and music classes.
In short, just as we would advocate for educating the whole child with arts education as a core focus, we should also consider the whole funding picture and a well-rounded approach to funding arts and music in schools. Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Continuous Improvement and Accountability Department has put together this 3 page document as a reminder of all the possible funds to tap.
Teachers
A key element of Proposition 28 is that schools will need to hire more arts teachers. Just as each county and district context is unique, there are a lot of unique approaches to filling the expanding need as funds become available. CSU East Bay’s Eric Engdahl has authored a 4-page article that brings together his extensive experience and unique knowledge about arts credentialing for school districts, teachers, and future teachers to consider. It covers all the arts disciplines and credential types, including CTE, and is accompanied by links to the technical information from the CTC.
Preparation
Another theme that has permeated CoP conversations is that while awaiting guidance from the CDE there is still much that can be done. The time is now to assess what schools are offering, identify gaps, or opportunities for growth, and engage with students and families to determine which opportunities to pursue. CoP members shared different approaches to collecting data and making decisions and examples of how this process might link to strategic planning efforts. We also heard from Los Angeles and Riverside County Offices of Education who were among the first to provide planning support events or “bootcamps” to support district planning teams. Their shared models helped CoP members develop their own approaches to similar events. You can access Riverside County’s resources here.
These are only a few examples of the outcomes of the CoP. Other CoP participants generously shared emerging thinking, resources, and approaches, which led to rich conversations in small groups. The CoP will resume with a kick-off on August 25 and continue on the first Friday of each month starting on October 5. Consider joining us!
New Resource: Thanks to Prop 28 School Districts Need Arts Teachers
The California County Superintendents Statewide Arts Initiative is pleased to present our latest publication Thanks to Proposition 28 School Districts Need Arts Teachers. The article is authored by Eric Engdahl, of California State University East Bay. Check out our most recent blog post for more information and download the PDF.
Arts Initiative 2023-24 Events
Mark Your Calendars Save the Dates!
Community of Practice 2023-2024
Back by popular demand, our CoP is coming back this fall! Save the dates, registration will open in July!
Dates: 8/25, 10/6, 11/3, 12/1, 2/2, 3/1, 4/5, 5/3
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Regional and County Art Leads Meetings
Attention all Regional and County Arts Leads! Please save the dates for our meetings for the next school year.
September 19-20, 2023: In Sacramento
November 15, 2023: Virtual
January 24, 2024: Virtual
March 13, 2024: Virtual
May 14-15, 2024: In Sacramento
Featured County News
Imperial County Office of Education
The Imperial County Office of Education hosted its very first Imperial County Arts Festival Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2023. Students from around the county submitted and showcased drawings, paintings, photos, digital artwork, and sculptures in an open theme contest. The top projects were celebrated at the Arts Festival Ceremony in Junior and Senior categories with a variety of specialty awards being acknowledged. Imperial County looks forward to providing additional opportunities for the visual and performing arts community and next year’s Arts Festival.
Summer Arts Events!
Participate in an arts professional learning event this summer! There are many opportunities happening all over the state.
San Diego County Office of Education
Arts Leaders Summer Book Study
Join this community of TK-12 school district and arts organization leaders to read and discuss the application of the concepts found in the book Street Data by Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan through the lens of increasing access to arts education. Collaborative conversations will increase our own sense of belonging and community as we explore the way to improve inclusion for students in arts education. A limited number of complimentary books are available. Please contact Pauline Crooks for more information on how to obtain a book.
Dates: June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8th, August 22nd
Registration Link
Increasing Access to Arts Education: Implementing Prop 28 (In Person and Virtual)
Participants will be provided with updated guidance and information, given time to discuss opportunities and challenges, and collaboratively create an action plan to launch efforts toward increasing access and equity in the arts. Guided conversations will focus on new approaches to arts education to meet the needs of current students and families. Come with a team of people (Arts Administrators, Lead Teachers, Site Principals, Finance) to unpack the promise of Prop. 28.
In Person Date: July 17th, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Link
Virtual Date: August 3rd, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration Link
CVESD Summer Orff Schulwerk Levels
The Chula Vista Elementary School District is excited to offer a unique opportunity for music educators seeking to improve their teaching skills. The Orff Schulwerk Levels 1 & 2 courses will be hosted from July 3-14th, and registration is now open!
This professional development program will be held in Chula Vista, CA, providing music teachers with the tools and techniques necessary to teach their students effectively. Participants will gain access to expert instruction, valuable resources, and a supportive community of peers.
The Orff Schulwerk Levels 1 & 2 courses are designed to be suitable for music educators of all levels of experience. By participating in the training, you’ll learn how to create a positive and engaging classroom environment that inspires creativity, encourages participation, and enhances student learning. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting, this program will help you take your teaching skills to the next level.
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to enhance your music teaching skills this summer. Register today and discover the joy of teaching music with the Orff Schulwerk approach! For more information visit their website.
Registration Link
Dates: July 3rd-14th
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Tech Theatre Summer Intensive
Come to the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse for a fun-filled and action-packed week of professional learning intensive in technical theatre. This opportunity offers hands-on activities for the new theatre teacher who needs additional support to safely teach tech theatre as a course or the veteran theatre teacher who wants to reacquaint themselves with best practices. Your experiences will be facilitated by veteran high school theatre teachers and La Jolla Playhouse teaching artists, Julie Benitez and Kirsten Giard — experienced educators with nearly 60 years of teaching combined. You will also interact with professional artists and technicians working on La Jolla Playhouse productions.
Three-day Technical Theatre Intensive: Monday-Wednesday, June 26, 27, 28, for the beginning to Intermediate tech theatre teacher.
Deeper Dive: Set and Show Design One Day Theatre Intensive Year 2: Thursday, June 29, for those who have completed the three-day Intensive and/or have a comfortable knowledge of working with power tools.
Basics to Demystify Lighting and Sound One Day Lighting and Sound Intensive: Friday, June 30, for the beginning to intermediate tech theatre teacher.
Riverside County Office of Education
2023 Educational Services Summit
Join us for this innovative conference designed to support leadership and collaboration across educational services disciplines. Sessions are planned for all job classifications focused on maximizing our current education climate.
Audience: Board members, administrative leaders, educators, labor relations leaders, community outreach leaders, and support staff.
Dates:
June 28- 8:00am – 3:30pm
June 29- 8:00am – 3:30pm
June 30- 8:00am – 12:00pm
Location: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa
Registration Link
Educational Services Summit Flyer
Why You Should Bring Your Family Flyer
Smithsonian's National Education Summit
Join the Fender Foundation and LAUSD in this 3 day, FREE hybrid event is designed to celebrate and honor educators and magnify instructional resources that inspire curiosity and connections in a changing world. The Smithsonian’s National Education Summit is expecting over 6,000 in-person and virtual registrants!
Mary Keenan and Ed Magee will be leading the Keynote: In-Person | Equipping & Inspiring LAUSD’s Student Musicians on Thursday, July 20 from 3 – 4:15 PM ET. The keynote will focus on how Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) have partnered to provide instruments, high-quality music education, and inspiration to over 17,000 LAUSD elementary and middle school students. This program has been so successful that it was instrumental in Californians passing Prop 28 in November of 2022, permanently funding music and arts education for over 6,000,000 public school students. This session will discuss the partnership between Fender and LAUSD, the impact of the program on students, and the lessons learned. They will also discuss the importance of music education and how it benefits students.
Date: July 18th -20th
Location: Smithsonian, Washington, D.C
For more information and registration, check out their website.
Get Ready for Prop 28 Events this Fall
Mark Your Calendars Early!
Alameda and San Mateo County Offices of Education
Bay Area Arts Education Leadership Summit
Join ACOE and SMCOE for a collaborative opportunity to build capacity in arts education at your district and school site.
Date: September 8, 2023
Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Audience: Administrators, Lead Arts Teachers, Counselors, Finance
Location: Oakland Asian Cultural Center
Registration Link
Butte County Office of Education
Save The Date!
BCOE will be holding a Prop 28 Regional Planning Meeting for Region 2.
Date: September 18th
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Museum of Northern California Arts in Chico
