Illinois is now a national leader in this key area of arts education. ILLINOIS – A bipartisan, state legislative committee today affirmed updated arts learning standards – the first update in nearly 20 years and a major win for education in Illinois. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted unanimously to support the standards. […]

When Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, he famously said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Updating Illinois’ arts learning standards might not rise to the historic level of the first moon landing, but the same sentiment applies. The recommendations developed by the Illinois Arts Learning Standards Initiative […]

What is the significance of 14, 34, and 1,400? Are they the code to unlock a safe? No. The formula for a new physics problem? No. Winning lottery numbers? Unfortunately, no. The three numbers symbolize the extensive process used by the Illinois Arts Learning Standards Initiative to develop recommended standards. During the 14-month process, members […]

Looking for big ideas? Then look to the learning standards developed by the Illinois Arts Learning Standards Initiative. Click here to review the recommended standards and submit your comments to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The standards include approaches that can help educators organize teaching and learning. “Enduring understandings” are a case in […]

We observed an uncommon event earlier this week. Leap Day, February 29, only comes once every four years. An even less common event, however, is currently underway: Illinois is updating its arts learning standards for the first time in nearly 20 years. While our state’s standards have remained the same since 1997, artistic mediums and […]

This is a pivotal time for arts education in our state: Illinois is updating its arts learning standards for the first time since 1997. The arts are essential to a complete and competitive education for all Illinois students, and arts learning standards underscore this fact. They identify what is important for students to know and […]