The Arts Graduation Requirement

What is the current Arts graduation requirement?

The state minimum high school graduation requirement in the arts (effective for the Class of 2008 and beyond), is one (1) credit in visual or performing arts aligned to state arts EALRs set at the high school level of grade 10 and/or above. Washington State defines Arts as dance, music, theatre and visual arts per No Child Left Behind/Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 2002.

WAC 180-51-061 specifies:  One arts credit that at minimum is aligned with current essential academic learning requirements at grade ten and/or above plus content that is determined by the local school district. The assessment of achieved competence in this subject area is to be determined by the local district although state law requires districts to have "assessments or other strategies" in arts at the high school level by 2008-09. The state superintendent's office has developed classroom-based assessment models for districts to use (RCW 28A.230.095). The essential content in this subject area may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts.

How do students earn credits?

In order to earn credit in any subject area, students must successfully complete 150 hours of planned instructional activities or demonstrate satisfactorily they have met clearly identified competencies established pursuant to a process defined in written district policy (WAC 180-51-050)

What is considered an Arts course?

An arts course must have a performance component to be considered an arts class.  Creating, performing, and responding are considered the foundations of an arts course.  Specifically, this credit may be satisfied in the visual or performing arts—dance, music, theatre and visual arts. 

What are “visual arts?”

Visual Arts are a universal form of communication bridging historic, geographic and cultural boundaries. Artworks are created by individuals and/or groups using a variety of media and processes. Artworks can be seen, felt, described, and experienced. Visual Arts allow for aesthetic experiences that evoke intellectual and emotional responses for the viewers. 

Visual Arts classes include and are not limited to: drawing, painting, ceramic arts/pottery, sculpture, 2-D design, 3-D design, photography, printmaking, graphic arts, media arts (film, video, TV, animation, digital), textiles, jewelry, glass arts,  Advanced Placement Studio (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate  (IB), etc.

What are “performing arts?”

Performing Arts are a universal form of communication bridging historic, geographic and cultural boundaries.  Performing Arts are art forms expressed by individuals and/or groups that involve performance through multi-sensory experiences. Performing arts allow for aesthetic experiences that evoke intellectual and emotional responses for the viewers.  The people are the art form and the medium.

Performing Arts classes include classes that contain a performance component such as: dance, music, and theatre classes, including and not limited to: 

Dance such as: contemporary,  creative movement, world dance, ballet, jazz, tap,  modern, break dance, hip-hop, ballroom, choreography, dance notation, dance history, musical theatre,  improvisation, folk, ethnic, step, historical, square dance, etc.

Music such as: general music, choir, band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, guitar, percussion ensemble, music theory, Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory,  technology composition, song writing, piano lab/music keyboards, International Baccalaureate (IB) Music, music history, marching band, drum line, multi-cultural and historical music, ethnic, opera, musical theatre,  Mariachi, marimba, steel drums,  recording studio, etc.

Theatre such as: acting, theatre, film acting and making, improvisation, mime, puppetry, performed poetry/spoken word, musical theatre, playwriting, technical theatre/stagecraft,  theatre production, Shakespeare literature and performance, International Baccalaureate (IB) Theatre, etc.

Can the Arts graduation requirement credit be waived?

The Arts credit cannot be waived or met by taking a credit in another subject area.

Is Arts a core academic area?

Yes.  Arts are defined as a core academic subject area in No Child Left Behind/Elementary and Secondary Act (NCLB/ESEA, Title V, Part D, subpart 15, section 5551) of 2002.

Who can teach an Arts course?

Arts classes must be taught by highly qualified Arts certified instructors, or by Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers if the district has established a course equivalency between a designated CTE course and an arts course.  See WSSDA Policy 2413 regarding Equivalency Credit for Career and Technical Education Courses at: http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/pubdocs/WSSDAPolicy2413-EquivCreditCTECourses.pdf 

Can Arts courses taken in middle school count toward high school graduation?

Arts courses generally will be taken during the students’ 9th through 12th grade years.  If taken in middle school, arts courses must satisfy the requirements for a credit earned before ninth grade, as defined by statute.  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28A.230.090

What state guidelines govern the content of Arts courses?

Arts courses utilize the concepts and skills of The Arts Elements and Principles at: www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/arts/pubdocs/ArtsElementsPrinciplesChart.doc and grade-appropriate current Arts frameworks by arts discipline—see http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/EALRs/EALRs.aspx and http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/frameworks/Sdance.aspx andhttp://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/frameworks/Smusic.aspx andhttp://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/frameworks/Stheatre.aspx and http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/frameworks/Svisualart.aspx  (Note: Arts Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) are currently being developed for use  beginning in January 2009.)
Arts, as with other subjects, should be reviewed by district administration and teachers to ensure that all requirements are met and followed. RCW 28A.150.220  (1) and (2); 28A.150.230; 28A.150.210; WAC 180.51.053 (6)

What is the Arts requirement for public four-year colleges and universities in Washington?

The Higher Education Coordinating Board has established minimum college academic distribution requirements (CADRs) for entry to Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities.  One credit of fine, visual or performing arts is required, or one additional credit in math, English, social science, lab science, or world languages. 
The University of Washington and Western Washington University specify that .5 credit of this requirement must be in the fine, visual or performing arts; the other half may be either in the arts or in an academic elective.  Course work completed prior to grade 9 does not apply toward this college admission requirement. For more information on the HECB requirements, go to: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/research/issues/documents/MCASCADRGuidelineBinder.pdf

Where can I get more information about Arts in the schools?

For more information on the arts in Washington Schools visit the OSPI Arts websites of information at: www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/arts; www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/Arts; http://www.k12.wa.us/curriculumInstruct/Arts/EALRs/EALRs.aspx

Or contact:
AnnRené Joseph, Program Supervisor for The Arts (Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts)
Phone: (360) 725-6365
Fax: (360) 725-6017
annrene.joseph@k12.wa.us        

Washington State
Board of Education
PO Box 47206
600 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-7206
360-725-6025