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PA Governor-elect Tom Wolf Prioritizes Education
On November 4, Pennsylvania voters made a historic decision by not giving incumbent Governor Tom Corbett a second term, instead choosing challenger Tom Wolf of York County. Governor Corbett was the first incumbent denied a second term as governor since the Pennsylvania constitution was amended in 1968 to allow two terms.
It is generally agreed that many voters turned against the incumbent for reasons related to state cuts in support for programs and services for K-12 students. Among programs reduced in many areas of the state were arts courses, field trips, and extracurricular activities. During the past four years, school boards have had to struggle with decisions about cuts in academic programs and services and raising local taxes in light of the dramatic cut in state support for districts that occurred in 2011.
Throughout his campaign, candidate Tom Wolf emphasized his support for increasing state funding for K-12 education, and this can have positive implications for the maintenance or restoration of arts programs and activities in school districts throughout the state.
In the months ahead, Tom Wolf will have many important appointments to make that will have implications for state policies concerning the arts and arts education. These include high profile positions such as the Budget Secretary, Secretary of Education, and chair of the PA Council for the Arts. As vacancies occur, the Governor will also make important appointments to boards such as the State Board of Education and the PA Council for the Arts.
The new Governor will take office with his running mate, Lieutenant Governor-elect (and current state senator) Michael Stack, on January 20.
Governor Tom Wolf will present his state budget proposal for 2015-2016 early in March.
In his victory speech to a crowd of supporters in York on November 4, Governor-Elect Tom Wolf emphasized education as a top priority!
 | | Governor Tom Wolf |
"We need to reestablish education as a priority in Pennsylvania. This nation was founded on the idea of a broad based citizenship and, very early on in the history of the republic, our ancestors realized that education was the key to a strong citizenship, to a strong democracy, to a strong economy, to strong families, and we needed to invest in that. We need to make sure that we resurrect that idea here in Pennsylvania and make sure that education is at the top of the list, not the bottom. And I understand there are different ideas of how we deliver on the promise of a good education, but we need to invest in it. We have to work together to make sure we deliver on that promise and we've got to make it a priority."
Nearly $2 Billion Structural Deficit Faces Pennsylvania Lawmakers for 2015-2016
As confirmed by the Independent Fiscal Office in its recent report to the Legislature, once inaugurated on January 20, Governor Tom Wolf and his team will have to contend with a nearly $2 billion structural deficit as the new governor works to craft a budget proposal for 2015-2016. This is no surprise as many lawmakers and observers of state government warned that the 2014-2015 budget was balanced only by using $1.5 billion of one-time revenues that would not be available again. While this strategy enabled Governor Corbett and the General Assembly to say they avoided a tax increase last summer, the strategy now confronts legislators and Governor Wolf with the challenge of further cutting state funding from existing programs and services and/or finding new revenues. The balance of the nearly $2 billion structural deficit is caused by the anticipated growth in state government obligations for things such as pension contributions.
School Board Elections in 2015
School board members are elected in 499 of Pennsvlvania's 500 school districts (all except Philadelphia) and more than 2000 board member positions will be on the ballot in 2015. School boards make important decisions that affect arts education including matters such as curriculum, graduation requirements, and staffing. School board members and candidates need to hear from advocates of arts education, and more arts education advocactes need to consider running for a school board position in the community where they live. Watch these pages and the Network's website after January 1 for more information about school board elections in 2015.
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Pennsylvania Arts Education Network Updates
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2014 Arts and Education Symposium
On October 2, the Education Policy and Leadership Center and the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network hosted the 4th Annual Arts and Education Symposium at the State Museum in Harrisburg. More than 150 attendees heard keynote remarks from Dennis Inhulsen, current president of the National Art Education Association, participated in eight workshops, and heard from and offered suggestions to a State Policy Leader Panel that included Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq.
Student Performances by IUP Dance Theater of Indiana University of Pennsylvania included two pieces from Enough! and Inventors' Fantasy.
To see the Dance Performance, Click Here.
Special recognition was given to student artist Zehen Zohra, now a 9th grader from Mechanicsburg Area High School, whose 8th grade art piece was used to help promote the Symposium. The PA Arts Education Network presented its Policy Leader Award to State Senator Pat Brown and its School Board Leadership Award to the school board of the Parkland School District.
 
Thanks to the many panelists and moderators who contributed to outstanding discussions throughout the day. Videos of some of the Symposium sessions are available by Clicking Here
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EPLC Recognizes Arts Education Organizations with 2014 Partner Awards
On September 22, the Board of Directors of The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC) recognized four statewide arts education organizations as key partners for EPLC's Arts and Education Initiative and key members of the recently established PA Arts Education Network. The "EPLC Partner Award" is special recognition and appreciation given each year to one or more organizations that have provided exceptional support and cooperation for the work of EPLC.
The 2014 EPLC Partner Award was presented to representatives of:
- American Alliance for Theatre and Education
- Pennsylvania Art Education Association
- Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
- Pennsylvania State Association for Health
In presenting the awards, EPLC president Ron Cowell said:
"These four arts education organizations, representing teachers of visual arts, music, dance, and theatre, have played a large role in the progress of EPLC's Arts and Education Initiative during the past five years. They each made significant contributions to the development and dissemination of EPLC's 2012 Creating Pennsylvania's Future Through the Arts and Education report. They have made major contributions to the content and promotion of the annual Pennsylvania Arts and Education Symposium and, since 2012, these four organizations have been central to the establishment of the new Pennsylvania Arts Education Network. Working together and with EPLC, they have developed and advocated for a public policy agenda that has important implications for all students, arts educators, and arts education throughout Pennsylvania. Each has also joined with EPLC in building greater capacity for effective arts education policy advocacy among their respective members and the general public. The staff and board members of EPLC are grateful for the partnership of these organizations and their leaders, members, and staff."
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PAEN Steering Committee Establishes Work Groups
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The Steering Committee of the PA Arts Education Network (PAEN) has established several work groups around which the work of the Network is being organized. These are:
- Governance and Membership
- Public Policy Agenda
- Arts Education Data System
- Grassroots Advocacy
- Capitol Advocacy
- Resource Development
The Public Policy Work Group is currently reviewing the Public Policy Agenda that was established in 2013. It will be revised and will guide the advocacy work of the Network during 2015.
The Arts Education Data System Work Group will develop a proposal for a statewide data system that will provide arts education information to education leaders, policymakers, and others.
The Capitol Advocacy Work Group will develop and implement strategies to promote the arts education policy agenda before state policymakers. This will include an arts education advocacy day in Harrisburg during the spring.
Progress Toward Creating Endorsement Credentials for Dance and Theatre Educators
PAEN Steering Committee members representing teachers of dance and theatre met recently with staff of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to discuss the process to establish an "endorsement" credential for certified teachers whose current broader certification allows them to teach dance or theatre, but who want to demonstrate an additional level of preparation and qualification specifically in the areas of dance or theatre. This extra credential is of interest to many since there currently is not certification in Pennsylvania specifically in the areas of dance and theatre.
PAEN members are forming teams who will work together to develop proposed criteria for earning an endorsement credential in either dance or theater, as well as criteria for those organizations and programs that will enable educators to earn the extra endorsement credential.
To obtain additional information or to volunteer to help develop the necessary criteria, contact Linda Huber (for dance) at [email protected] or Gene Frank (for theatre) at [email protected]
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Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
Fox Chapel Area High School music teacher Mairi Cooper
has been named the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
The National Teacher of the Year program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Teacher of the Year
(NSTOY-PA) program began in 1995. NSTOY-PA works with Pennsylvania Department of Education to support the program by providing services and materials to select and honor the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Cooper, 46, lives in Pittsburgh and has taught for 14 years at Fox Chapel. Her courses include advanced placement music theory, orchestra, piano and world music, and she is chairwoman of the high school music department.
The National Association of Music Merchants, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing participation in music, honored the district's music program in 2012 as one of the best in the nation.
Ms. Cooper acknowledged that the department has grown under her leadership, but she was quick to give credit to the, "amazing team of teachers," who work under her guidance.
Fox Chapel Area superintendent Gene Freeman described Ms. Cooper as, a "teacher who defies gravity." "When you think she has lifted her students to the highest degree, she inspires them to go even higher," Freeman said.
A native of the state of Indiana, Ms. Cooper moved to the area to take a part-time teaching job at Seton Hill University. She has bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Rochester.
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Pennsylvania Art Education Association
The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) held its annual
conference in Seven Springs on October 31-November 2. The conference theme was "Art is Natural" and there were many conference highlights, including:
- Mary Elizabeth Meier completed her two-year term as president and passed the leadership mantle to new president Diane Wilkin.
- Ron Young, Curator of Education at Fallingwater, partnered with PAEA to organize a private tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater for conference attendees. Following the tour, attendees were able to view the conference's annual student art show and hear keynote speaker William E. Strickland Jr., President and CEO of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation, speak at The Barn at Fallingwater.
- Other keynote speakers were Dr. Christine Marme' Thompson, Art Educator, and Andrew Phillips of the Charter High School for Architecture and Design.
- Rachel Sager led the conference-long Collaborative Mosaic Project, where attendees were able to work collaboratively on a mosaic throughout the conference. The end product is permanently placed in the Robert Little Studio of Touchstone Center for Crafts.
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2014 PAEA Awards Recipients:
Art Educator of the Year-Sandy Wood
Higher Education-Dr.Wanda Knight
Supervision & Administration-Dan Burns
Elementary Art Educator-Demi Hauseman
Non-Public Art Educator-Lynda Abraham-Braff
Museum Educator-Jennifer Nadler
Early Career Art Educator-Christina Martin
New Professional Art Educator-Christopher DeMayo
Friend to Art Education-Dr.Sandra Myers
Regional Representatives-Joy Knepp and Melissa Gallagher
2014 PAEA Fellows Clyde M. McGeary Scholarship-Katrina Rakowski and Jennifer L. Tarr
PAEA 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients
Ron Cowell of The Education Policy and Leadership Center led one workshop discussion about the Public Policy Agenda of the PA Arts Education Network and the Network's efforts to promote development of a statewide arts education data system. Workshop participants offered helpful suggestions concerning both the Policy Agenda that is under review and the proposed new arts education data system.
To learn more about PAEA and the annual conference, go to PAEA
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Pennsylvania State Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
The annual convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (PSAHPERD) was held at Seven Springs on November 21-23. For more information about the PSAHPERD convention, Click Here.
 | Past President Cindy Allen and
New President Carl Keifer (above)
Convention Workshops (below) |
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Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania on "Focus on Education"
Jenny Hershour, Managing Director of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, was interviewed in October on "Focus on Education", which is presented each month by EPLC on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). Jenny discussed the work of Citizens for the Arts and how advocates for the arts can provide effective support for the arts and arts education at the state level and in their local community.
See Jenny Hershour discuss Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania "on demand" on EPLC's website at
PCN Focus on Education
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Arts Education Partnership 2014 National Forum
The AEP 2014 National Forum preparing students for the next America in and through the arts ushered in National Arts in Education Week on September 11-12 in Pittsburgh, PA. More than 270 leaders representing 178 organizations and more than 30 states explored arts-centered solutions as states and school districts across the country are implementing higher learning expectations aimed at ensuring America's young people leave high school ready for college, careers, and citizenship. AEP believes the arts can lead the way for change during this seminal moment in American education.
For more information about AEP and the 2014 National Forum, Click Here
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National Core Arts Standards
A broad coalition of arts education associations partnered with leadership organizations to develop the new core arts standards. More than 100 experts from 30 states were selected for writing teams based on their broad range of teaching experience, including expertise in curriculum and assessment. Collectively, they represented every level from early childhood through higher education.
The new core arts standards, inclusive of dance, media arts, theatre, music and visual arts, focus on four major categories: Creating, Performing/Presenting/Producing, Responding, and Connecting.
To understand the primary goals, dynamic processes, structures and outcomes that shape student learning and achievement in dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, follow the link for a detailed look at the new National Core Arts Standards.
National Core Arts Standards
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Opportunities For Arts Educators and
School Administrators
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Upcoming Events
Americans for the Arts-National Arts Advocacy Day
March 23-24, Washington, D.C.
Join arts advocates from across the country on March 23-24, 2015 in Washington, DC for the annual Arts Advocacy Day and make your voice heard! Arts Advocacy Day brings together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations, along with more than 500 grassroots advocates from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts.
For more information, National Arts Advocacy Day
Pennsylvania Music Education Association 4th Annual Music Education Advocacy Day
March 25, 2015 Harrisburg, PA
The Pennsylvania Music Education Association (PMEA) wants to know how Music Education Has
Impacted Your Life?
PMEA will hold its fourth annual Music Education Advocacy Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Capitol building in Harrisburg. As part of this event, PMEA plans to distribute a book to all legislators comprised of responses from students, parents, community members and PMEA members across the state on the importance of music education. Consider reaching out to former students who were involved in your music programs. PMEA is looking for responses from all walks of life! Take just five minutes to share your story and spread the word with your colleagues, students, parents and community by completing the How Has Music Education Impacted Your Life? (https://pmea.wufoo.com/forms/how-has-music-education-impacted-your-lThe ife/) form today!
National Art Education Association 2015 Conference
March 26-28 New Orleans, LA
Connect with thousands of colleagues from around the globe in New Orleans to explore the link between form and function, design and fine art. Create your own ideal professional learning experience when you choose from 1,000+ learning opportunities. Merge creative thinking, art knowledge, skills, technology, research, and design to generate new opportunities for your classroom, career, and beyond!
For more Information: NAEA 2015 Conference
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