Visual and Performing Arts

Art and Music in West Virginia Elementary School

The WVDE Office of Instruction has completed a report with recommendations to the state superintendent about the quality of instruction in art and music at the elementary level.  Specifically, the report addresses:

  • Who is teaching art and music at the elementary level
  • The professional preparation of classroom teachers ("generalists") who teach art and/or music
  • The number of minutes allotted for instruction in each subject

Click here to view the report. You may click here to view the accompanying tables.

 

Arts Content Standards and Objectives

West Virginia’s revised and adopted dance, music, theatre and visual art content standards and objectives (CSOs) and performance descriptors are available in an interactive format posted online. The interactive CSOs for all content areas are available at this link: http://wveis.k12.wv.us/Teach21/public/cso/cso.cfm. 

 

Arts Educator LISTSERV

You can stay informed about the latest information regarding the arts from the West Virginia Department of Education by subscribing to the Arts Educator LISTSERV.  Simply send the message SUBSCRIBE K12-ARTEDUCATORS to LISTSERV@listserv.wvnet.edu .

 

Instructional guides for dance, music, theatre and visual art were completed by March 2008 and are posted on the Teach 21 website at this link:  http://wvde.state.wv.us/instructionalguides/ .  Among these instructional guides are several interdisciplinary examples. 

 

Project Based Learning plans for dance, music, theatre and visual art are also posted on the Teach 21 website and can be searched here: http://wvde.state.wv.us/teach21/pbl.html . 

 

Policy 2510 Requirements Document

This is the guiding policy for state requirements for arts courses. 

 

ARTS ALIVE

The ARTS ALIVE program has, for the past five years,  provided a high profile venue for arts education advocacy by … (1) showcasing successful arts programs in West Virginia schools; and by (2) educating audiences of teachers, school administrators, policymakers, leaders, philanthropists, and members of the general public as to how the 21st skills are taught in dance, music, theatre and visual art classes.  Through exposing audience members to the best of our arts programs,  ARTS ALIVE has set a high standard  for our schools.  

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

John A. Deskins, Arts Coordinator
Office of Instruction
West Virginia  Dept. of Education
Building 6, Room 608
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305-0330
email: jdeskins@access.k12.wv.us
phone: 304-558-5325, ext. 53231
fax: 304-558-1834