CDE - Visual and Performing Arts Framework

Acknowledging that the arts enhance and balance the curriculum, this framework for the twenty-first century implements the visual and performing arts content standards adopted by the California State Board of Education in January 2001.

The Visual and Performing Arts Framework is designed to help classroom teachers and other educators develop curriculum and instruction in the arts so that all students meet or exceed the content standards in dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts.

Guiding Principles of the Framework

This framework incorporates ten principles to accelerate and sustain proficiency in the visual and performing arts for all learners. These principles are used to guide the framework and address the complexity of the content and delivery of instruction in dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts. They also direct the purpose, design, delivery, and evaluation of instruction.

1. Support of Education Code sections 51210 and 51220 requiring instruction in the arts.

2. Use of the visual and performing arts content standards adopted by the State Board of Education as the basis for curriculum.

3. Definition of a balanced, comprehensive arts program as one in which the arts are studied as discrete disciplines related to each other and, when appropriate, to other subject areas in the curriculum.

4. Promotion of alignment of standards-based curriculum, assessment, and instruction throughout the grades at the school and school district levels to provide a comprehensive, coherent structure for visual and performing arts teaching and learning.

5. View of assessment of student work as essential to a standards-based program in the arts.

6. Expansion of an emphasis on using new media and electronic technology in the arts.

7. Inclusion of all learners in the classroom.

8. A broad view of culture.

9. Recognition of the role the arts play in preparing students for careers and full participation in society.

10. Usefulness to teachers, arts professionals, library media teachers, administrators, parents, and supporters of the arts.

- Excerpts from the Visual and Performing Arts Framework

Refer to the Visual and Performing Arts Framework for a more detailed description of the ten guiding principles.