The 2014 New Jersey School Performance Review
Release of Arts Education Measures

“Research shows a strong connection between arts education and success in college and career. Arts education is crucial in unleashing the creativity and innovation that are needed to succeed in today’s workforce. I’m proud that New Jersey is at the forefront of this effort.”

Education Commissioner Chris Cerf

“New Jersey has always stressed the value of arts education in our schools’ curriculum. It is an integral part of a student’s development. Including this subject as part of the annual School Performance Report shows the important role of the arts in New Jersey’s educational system.”

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a resident of New Jersey.  Access to the arts is an essential element of a truly well rounded student.  It is reassuring to know that our Department of Education is taking the lead in making Arts education a part of the school performance report.  Hopefully, the rest of the nation will follow our example.”

Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. Chair, NJ Assembly Education Committee

“This is another groundbreaking step forward in our continuing effort to reinforce the importance of arts education for every single student in New Jersey.   I want to commend the excellent work of our partners at the DOE and the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership,”

Elizabeth Mattson, chair of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

“People measure what matters to them. These reports recognize the important role of arts education to the long-term cultural and economic vitality of our state.  Students who participate in the arts will become more skilled in critical thinking, problem solving and other necessary skills for jobs in the 21st century, as they also become our future artists, audience members and arts advocates.”

Chris Daggett, President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

“It is noteworthy that New Jersey is at the forefront of this exciting initiative.  The arts are transformative experiences that engage all learners at every grade level.  They support 21st century learning, particularly in the areas of creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.  School leaders who embrace the arts foster a creative culture that permeates throughout all aspects of the school community.  And, infusing the arts across curricular areas supports the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.”

Patricia Wright, Executive Director, New Jersey Principals & Supervisors Association

“New Jersey has once again demonstrated national leadership in education by including arts education in our school performance reports. We know creativity and innovation are the currency of the 21st century economy and arts education is one of the ways we inspire our students to unlock their own creativity. This important step demonstrates the commitment of New Jersey to ensuring all of our students have access to the many educational benefits provided by the arts.”

Robert Morrison, chair of the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership

“We are excited that New Jersey is again in the vanguard of arts education. “The inclusion of arts education in the NJ School Performance Reports will offer teachers, parents and students yet another tool to advocate for a well-rounded education that involves the arts as a key element.”

Ann Marie Miller, Executive Director, ArtPride NJ Foundation

“The New Jersey Music Education Association applauds the decision by the New Jersey Department of Education to include the measurement of arts education as part of the annual School Performance Reports.  The arts play a vital and essential role in the education of our students.  This data will assist educational leaders in addressing the importance of a sequential standards based education in the arts for all students.”

Joseph Jacobs, President NJMEA

“In 1990, in one of the earliest Abbott decisions, the NJ Supreme Court recognized that the arts play an essential role in connecting disadvantaged students to their schools and provide a gateway to academic success. The state’s core curriculum reflects the importance of the arts, and this data from the performance reports will help parents and educators assess whether those programs are in place.”

David Sciarra, Executive Director, Education Law Center

“As educators, NJEA members know first-hand the integral role the arts play in our students’ growth and achievement.  So we are pleased that the arts are finally being recognized as an essential component of a well-rounded education. We are hopeful that this is the beginning of an era where all students have greater access and engagement in their public schools to the many forms of arts education.”

NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer

“We are pleased with the inclusion of the Visual and Performing Arts in the New Jersey department of Education’s Annual School Performance Report. Including these content areas validates the certainty that the arts are an important part of a comprehensive education for every New Jersey student. In the continued debate about what constitutes an appropriate education for the 21st Century learner, the terms innovation and creativity frequently come up. We can think of no better content areas, or curricula, to actively encourage the development of creativity, and support the generation of innovative and original ideas, as well as to cultivate Imaginative and resourceful problem solving skills.”

Ellen Hargrove, president of Art Educators of New Jersey