SCR 8 (LSB 2607SV (1) 88)

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1214)

A Concurrent Resolution to establish a fine arts program interim study committee.

   WHEREAS, Iowa’s fine arts standards were approved and adopted by the Iowa state board of education on November 15, 2017, based on the Iowa fine arts standards adoption team’s recommendation; and
   WHEREAS, the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Pub. L. No. 114-95, includes the arts, sciences, and humanities as essential components of a well-rounded education; and
   WHEREAS, it is important for Iowa to inventory its fine arts education staffing and curriculum as the state moves forward in implementing the new fine arts standards; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, That the legislative council is requested to appoint an interim study committee to review the funding; staffing and professional development; course offerings, including arts integration courses; parental, family, and community engagement measures; procurement of and access to instructional materials; and state priorities for fine arts education in broader school-improvement efforts; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the interim study committee shall consist of an equal number of majority and minority members from the senate and the house of representatives; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the legislative council is encouraged to appoint to the interim study committee public members or direct the study committee to seek input from or to appoint an advisory committee from the following stakeholders: the arts educators of Iowa; the Iowa bandmasters association; the Iowa choral directors association; the Iowa communication association; the Iowa music educators association; Orff and Kodaly chapters and educators; the Iowa educational theatre association; the Iowa string teachers association; the Iowa state dance and drill team association; the Iowa department of education; the area education agencies; and school districts and accredited nonpublic schools representing large, medium, and small schools in rural, suburban, and urban areas of Iowa; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the interim study committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the general assembly on or before December 20, 2019, and the recommendations shall be used to assist the state of Iowa in aligning fine arts programs to the state’s academic standards and the state’s ESSA plan.