The Illinois State Board of Education is “exploring potential adjustments to the accountability system to establish clear, transparent criteria that are easily communicated and actionable.” (Assessment & Accountability Redesign)
The proposed accountability system no longer includes Fine Arts as an indicator for School Quality/Student Success (SQSS). A sample draft of a school’s custom report shows that Fine Arts is no longer included as an indicator for a high-quality education program.
We need Music Education Advocates to voice their support for keeping the Fine Arts Indicator on the Illinois School Report Card as a school quality indicator!
** March 21 Update: ISBE has let us know they “do not have any plans to remove the Fine Arts Indicator from the school report card.” It is unclear if this refers to the current report card or a future redesign. They stated that any specific role that indicator will play “remains unknown at this time,” and ISBE unable to tell us how the indicator would be represented or how this information would be reflected in the redesign materials.
What Can You Do?
STAY INFORMED
Review the Advocacy Alert for background information on the Fine Arts Indicator.
ISBE has collected the information regarding the accountability system changes at https://www.isbe.net/feedback.
ATTEND A LISTENING TOUR MEETING
ISBE is holding a Listening Tour to gather input on the proposed accountability changes. Plan to attend a meeting to share your conviction that the Fine Arts Indicator should be included in the accountability redesign.
Not sure what to say? You can start with any of these Fine Arts Indicator Talking Points!
All of these events are from 1-3pm, except the Chicago stop from 4-6pm.
March 10 - Parkland Community College Auditorium
(2400 West Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821)March 21 – Hall High School
(800 W Erie St, Spring Valley, IL 61362)April 1 – ROE #3 Professional Development Center
(1500 West Jefferson, Vandalia, IL 62471)April 7 – John A. Logan College
(700 Logan College Drive, Carterville, IL 62918)April 21 – East Moline School District 37
(3451 Morton Drive, East Moline, IL 61244)May 5 – Peoria School District
(3202 N. Wisconsin Ave., Peoria, IL 61603)May 9 – University of St. Francis - St. Clare Campus Assembly Hall
(1550 Plainfield Road, Joliet, IL 60435)May 22 – Chicago World Language Academy
(1340 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60607)
CONTACT ISBE
The ISBE Data & Accountability webpage lists [email protected] for questions or comments. You can email State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders at [email protected].
CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR
You can find your local legislators through the Illinois State Board of Elections District Locator. Ask for their support in restoring the Fine Arts Indicator to the school accountability framework.
You are encouraged to use this Sample Legislator Email supporting the Fine Arts Indicator (the link will prompt you to make a copy of the letter so you can customize it as needed).
If you are calling your legislator and would like to know what to say on the phone, please refer to this Sample Legislator Phone Call Script.
Thank you to Greg Scapillato for his help in putting these resources together!