[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 44--DESIGNATING EACH OF MARCH 2001, AND MARCH 2002, 
                      AS ``ARTS EDUCATION MONTH''

  Mr. COCHRAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary.

                               S. Res. 44

       Whereas the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in 
     Arts Education Act (Public Law 106-533) was approved by the 
     106th Congress by unanimous consent;
       Whereas arts literacy is a fundamental purpose of schooling 
     for all students;
       Whereas arts education stimulates, develops and refines 
     many cognitive and creative skills, critical thinking and 
     nimbleness in judgment, creativity and imagination, 
     cooperative decisionmaking, leadership, high-level literacy 
     and communication, and the capacity for problem posing and 
     problem-solving;
       Whereas arts education contributes significantly to the 
     creation of flexible, adaptable, and knowledgeable workers 
     who will be needed in the 21st century economy;
       Whereas arts education improves teaching and learning;
       Whereas when parents and families, artists, arts 
     organizations, businesses, local civic and cultural leaders, 
     and institutions are actively engaged in instructional 
     programs, arts education is more successful;
       Whereas effective teachers of the arts should be encouraged 
     to continue to learn and grow in mastery of their art form as 
     well as in their teaching competence;
       Whereas educators, schools, students, and other community 
     members recognize the importance of arts education; and
       Whereas arts programs, arts curriculum, and other arts 
     activities in schools across the Nation should be encouraged 
     and publicly recognized: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF ARTS EDUCATION MONTH.

       The Senate--
       (1) designates each of March 2001, and March 2002, as 
     ``Arts Education Month''; and
       (2) encourages schools, students, educators, parents, and 
     other community members to engage in activities designed to--
       (A) celebrate the positive impact and public benefits of 
     the arts;
       (B) encourage all schools to integrate the arts into the 
     school curriculum;
       (C) spotlight the relationship between the arts and student 
     learning;
       (D) demonstrate how community involvement in the creation 
     and implementation of arts policies enriches schools;
       (E) recognize school administrators and faculty who provide 
     quality arts education to students;
       (F) provide professional development opportunities in the 
     arts for teachers;
       (G) create opportunities for students to experience the 
     relationship between participation in the arts and developing 
     the life skills necessary for future personal and 
     professional success;
       (H) increase, encourage, and ensure comprehensive, 
     sequential arts learning for all students;
       (I) honor individual, class, and student group achievement 
     in the arts; and
       (J) increase awareness and accessibility to live 
     performances, and original works of art.

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a Senate 
resolution to designate March 2001, and March 2002, as ``Arts Education 
Month.''
  Last year, the Senate approved a similar resolution, marking for the 
first time, Congressional recognition of the annual celebration of 
music, art, dance and theatre programs in American schools.
  There is growing awareness that arts education can help ensure 
America's arts traditions and lead to higher I.Q.'s, better SAT scores, 
better math and language skills, less juvenile delinquency, and improve 
chances of higher education and as well as increased job opportunities.
  According to a study by the UCLA Graduate School of Education and 
Information Studies, students involved in the arts outscored students 
who were not exposed to arts on standardized tests. Among 10th graders, 
for example, 47.5 percent of low-arts-involved students scored in the 
top half of standardized tests while 65.7 percent of high-arts-involved 
students scored above the test median.
  The study also found that students who consistently act in plays and 
musicals, join drama clubs or taking acting lessons showed gains in 
reading proficiency, self-concept and motivation. By the 12th grade, 
those consistently involved with instrumental music scored 
significantly higher on math tests. The findings held true for students 
regardless of parents' income, occupation or level of education, 
researchers said.
  I hope that by designating March as Arts Education Month, more 
schools and communities will engage in activities that showcase, 
celebrate, reward and provide new arts experiences for students of all 
ages.
  I invite all of my colleagues to join me in sponsoring Arts Education 
Month.

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