ADVOCACY | VTartEducators

Arts advocacy is crucial in ensuring that the arts remain a vital and accessible part of education. The Vermont Art Educators Association believes in the power of advocacy to support and elevate the role of the arts in our schools and communities. We are committed to empowering art educators to champion the importance of arts education, influence policy, and secure the resources needed to nurture creativity and expression in all students. Through our collective efforts, we strive to create a future where the arts are recognized and valued as essential to a well-rounded education.

The Education Quality Standards :

The Education Quality Standards (EQS) for Vermont are a set of guidelines designed to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education. These standards outline the expectations for student learning and achievement, focusing on essential areas such as literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. They emphasize personalized learning, proficiency-based progression, and equitable access to educational opportunities for all students. The EQS aim to prepare students for college, career, and civic life by promoting critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning.

You can find the current EQS here:

https://education.vermont.gov/education-quality-assurance/education-quality-standards

The Education Quality Standards outline:

Each supervisory union board shall ensure the written and delivered curriculum within their supervisory union is aligned with the standards approved by the State Board of Education. Each school shall enable students to engage annually in rigorous, relevant and comprehensive learning opportunities that allows them to demonstrate proficiency in (f.) artistic expression (including visual, media and performing arts).

The Agency of Education has published the following exemplar Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements in the Arts: https://education.vermont.gov/sites/aoe/files/documents/edu-arts-proficiency-based-graduation-hierarchy.pdf

Other helpful documents to understand how a student can show proficiency and build as they go:

Helpful links from the National Art Education Association:

Advocacy & Policy Landingpage: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy

Advocacy Toolkit: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy/advocacy-toolkit

Advocacy Made Simple: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy/articles/51-advocacy-made-simple

Advocacy White papers for Art Education: https://www.arteducators.org/advocacy-policy/advocacy-white-papers-for-art-education

Questions? Please reach out! to Lisa at:

Lisa.marie.bresler@gmail.com