Iowa DOE Seeks Public Input on Fine Arts Standards

(Shared with express permission from the Iowa Department of Education)

Input Sought on Fine Arts Standards

April public forums scheduled; online survey opens today

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise today announced he’s seeking public input on fine arts standards that are under consideration in Iowa.

Wise announced public forums throughout the state on April 25 and April 27, as well as an online survey open through May 12, following a state team’s recommendation to get feedback on the National Core Arts Standards. These standards were developed by the National Coalition for Core Arts Standards, an alliance of national arts and arts education groups.

Wise convened Iowa’s Fine Arts Adoption Team earlier this year in response to public support for offering statewide standards that go beyond the mandatory subject areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and 21st century skills.

Fine arts standards serve as a guide for educators to provide a high-quality arts education for students in preschool through 12th grades. Fine arts include visual art, music, theater, dance and media arts.

“While the adoption team’s members have a varied background in the fine arts disciplines, we feel it is important to seek feedback from all interested Iowans in order to create a set of fine arts standards that meets the needs of all students in Iowa and serves as a framework to guide fine arts educators in all types of classrooms and school settings across the state,” said Ronda Sternhagen, a member of the Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team. Sternhagen is a visual arts educator at Grundy Center Middle/High School and a visual arts consultant at Area Education Agency 267.

Feedback from the public forums and online survey will be used to provide guidance to the Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team, which is expected to submit a final recommendation to the State Board of Education later this year. If adopted, fine arts standards would be optional for school districts.

Iowans can access the online survey regarding the National Core Arts Standards at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZF7BCQY

Iowans also are encouraged to provide feedback at the April 25 and April 27 public forums. Sites and details are as follows:

Tuesday, April 25, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Meeting location:
Heartland Area Education Agency
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Satellite sites:
Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency
729 21st Street, Bettendorf

Lincoln Elementary School
321 West 8th Street, Cedar Falls

Grant Wood Area Education Agency
4401 6th Street SW, Cedar Rapids

Keystone Area Education Agency Conference Center
1400 2nd Street NW, Elkader

Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency
1235 5th Avenue S, Fort Dodge

Area Education Agency 267
909 South 12th Street, Marshalltown

Great Prairie Area Education Agency
2814 North Court Street, Ottumwa

Red Oak High School Media Center
2011 North 8th Street, Red Oak

Northwest Area Education Agency
1520 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City

Thursday, April 27, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Meeting location:
Area Education Agency 267
3712 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls

Satellite sites:
Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency
729 21st Street, Bettendorf

Grant Wood Area Education Agency
4401 6th Street SW, Cedar Rapids

Keystone Area Education Agency
2310 Chaney Road, Dubuque

Heartland Area Education Agency
6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston

Area Education Agency 267
909 South 12th Street, Marshalltown

Great Prairie Area Education Agency
2814 North Court Street, Ottumwa

Red Oak High School Media Center
2011 North 8th Street, Red Oak

Northwest Area Education Agency
1382 4th Avenue NE, Sioux Center

Northwest Area Education Agency
1520 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City

Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency
23 East 7th Street, Spencer

Visit the Fine Arts Standards Adoption Team webpage on the Iowa Department of Education’s website for more information.