Closing Gaps in Educational Opportunity: Interarts Licensing Programs Increase Equity and Access and Ease Arts Teacher Shortages

• In Event: Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Current Issues in Arts Education: Teacher Shortages, Curricular Innovations, and Creativity Assessment

Abstract

Current school-level initiatives designed to increase student access to vibrant and equitable dance and theatre programs often languish because open teaching positions cannot be filled. Thus, the promise of engaged performing arts learning closing gaps in educational opportunity for under represented youth, while engendering essential 21st century skills like creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, remains unrealized. The results of our policy-driven inquiry of one university’s decision to expand its arts education programming is of particular relevance to both educators and policymakers working in the field of arts education and teacher training. We aim to further discourse on arts teacher licensure, especially related to multidisciplinary interarts teacher education that improves student access to quality arts programs in PK-12 settings.

Authors

• James W. Bequette, University of Minnesota

• Betsy Maloney Leaf, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities