The decreasing offerings of arts education: a cause for concern being addressed by 27 California high schools

Public schools in the United States, especially in California, face a dilemma in complying with high-stakes accountability measures while providing arts education. This study sought to examine California arts-focused schools that incorporate all core subjects, arts education in particular, into classroom instruction. The aim was to assess both the extent to which varied groups have access to an enriched arts curriculum and the differences between arts-focused schools and other schools. The research questions aimed to identify the practices, strategies, and resources the arts-focused schools implement to sustain the arts as well as to describe the perceived impact of arts education on school culture and population. ❧ This quantitative study used data from existing databases to reveal arts education delivery by examining and comparing the 27 arts-focused schools in California with the total number of schools in the state. The results reveal that access to rich arts education increased since 2003, to 27 arts-focused high schools, but these generally have smaller enrollment and tend to be charter schools. Further, as it relates to API, an arts-focused school can put great emphasis on arts education and, at the same time, have achievement test scores comparable to those of traditional schools. In addition, access to arts-focused schools is not dependent on Title 1 status. Arts education is predominantly equally accessible among ethnic groups. ❧ This study can enhance educators’ and policymakers’ understanding regarding the characteristics of arts-focused schools that soundly embraced arts education. Further, the findings may also encourage decisions to maintain and/or increase arts education in all schools based on its benefits and the progress made by arts-focused schools.