In Tuesday’s (10/16) Chicago Sun-Times, Fran Spielman reports, “Chicago Public Schools would elevate the arts to the level of a ‘core subject’—with 120 minutes of dedicated weekly instruction for elementary students and ‘at least one certified, full-time employee’ at every school, under a mayoral plan unveiled Monday. For the first time, the number of art forms offered by CPS would be expanded to include visual art, music, dance and drama at all grade levels. High school graduation requirements would be modified to include all four. … Ultimately, the city’s goal is to have every school maintain a minimum percentage of its budget for arts education. The funding floor, which has yet to be set, would be based on the school’s overall budget and per-pupil funding formula, officials said. A former ballet dancer, Emanuel announced the plan at Manuel Perez Jr. Elementary School, 1241 W. 19th Street, flanked by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Chicago Lyric Opera star singer Renee Fleming. … Asked when the plan will take effect, a mayoral spokeswoman said: ‘The plan lays out goals over the period of multiple years, and CPS will begin working towards the stated goals in the coming months.’ ”
Posted October 16, 2012
