• ABOUT US
• R&D DIVISIONS
• CAREERS
• NEWSROOM
• CONTACT US
• HOME

An Unfinished Canvas: Arts Education in California

Policies recently enacted at both the state and federal levels demonstrate a commitment to arts education. In 2001, the California State Board of Education adopted content standards for the visual and performing arts. In 2002, the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, with provisions recognizing the arts as a core subject, was signed into law. Beginning in 2005-06, students seeking admission to the University of California and California State University systems are required to take one full year of arts education coursework during high school.

Despite expectations and enthusiasm for instruction in the arts, little information about California students' access to and performance in the arts is available, and statewide information about the delivery of arts education has been lacking.

To better inform policymakers and arts education funders about the status of arts education in California, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation selected SRI International to conduct a series of studies to examine students' access to arts education in California schools.

(William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, 2005-2009)

Key Staff

Principal Investigator: Katrina Woodworth

Staff: Katherine Baisden, Jennifer Bland, Ashley Campbell, H. Alix Gallagher, Roneeta Guha, Debbie Kim, Alejandra Lopez-Torkos, Regie Stites, Victoria Tse