Standards for the Arts

• The Standards for the Arts reflect the educational goals that are common to dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts, while recognizing the distinctive aspects of each discipline. Each art form has its own philosophies, methods, materials, history, and content; each is usually taught as a separate subject. Assessment techniques should account for the similarities and differences among the arts and the varying capabilities and education of students across the four disciplines.
• These standards provide school districts the direction and basic structure for the development of local curricula that link instruction and assessment to the content standards. Taken together, the content standards, performance indicators and the performance standards embodied in actual student work define the learning standards for students in the Arts (dance, music, theatre and visual arts).
• The Board of Regents recognizes the diversity of students in New York State, including students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, gifted students, and educationally disadvantaged students, and has made a strong commitment to integrating the education of all students into the total school program.
• The standards apply to all students regardless of their experiential background, capabilities, developmental and learning differences, interests, or ambitions. A classroom typically includes students with a wide range of abilities who may pursue multiple pathways to learn effectively, participate meaningfully, and work towards attaining the curricular standards. Students with diverse learning needs may need accommodations or adaptations of instructional strategies and materials to enhance their learning and/or adjust for their learning capabilities.

Expectations for Achievement

• All students should participate at an appropriate level and should demonstrate competent, proficient, or distinguished levels of achievement in the following areas by the completion of their secondary schooling:
• Elementary level achievement in the content standards for each of the four disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.
• Intermediate level achievement in the content standards for two of the four disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.
• Commencement level achievement in the content standards for one of the four disciplines of dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.

The following Learning Standards for The Arts reflects the most recent changes to the content standards and the performance indicators based on extensive review by the public. As educational practice improves, these standards will continually be revised. Copyright NYS Education Department.