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Statement of Introduction
Strengthening Arts in Schools Amendment Act of 2025
February 24, 2025
Today, along with Councilmembers McDuffie, White, Parker, and Pinto, I am introducing the
“Strengthening Arts in Schools Amendment Act of 2025”. This bill aims to standardize and enhance arts
curriculum and arts standards in DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools by establishing an
“Arts Liaison” position in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Evidence-based studies consistently demonstrate the positive impact of arts education on student
outcomes, including increased engagement, reduced disciplinary issues, and improved academic
achievement and college aspirations. For disadvantaged youth, participation in arts is linked to higher
college attendance, better employment opportunities, and greater civic involvement, with low-income
students particularly benefiting from schools offering comprehensive arts programs.i
Student access to quality arts education in DCPS and DCPCS varies widely by school, ward, and
grade level.ii Although DCPS has the support of the DCPS arts team, there are no similar centralized
supports in place for art, music, or performing arts teachers at charter schools. In addition, D.C.’s arts
education standards have not been updated since 2008.iii Without sufficient resources and a
comprehensive plan to implement an effective arts curriculum in all schools, our students will continue
to miss out on potential opportunities and future success. It is crucial that the District strive to achieve
equitable arts education for all.
In partnership with Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”), the arts liaison would provide
recommendations to OSSE regarding the development of updated state level arts standards. They would
also assess the DCPCS arts curriculum and recommend improvements to OSSE. The arts liaison would
function as the primary communication point for LEAs, support professional development for arts
teachers, and connect with arts organizations to provide resources and opportunities for LEAs. These
actions will help us reach our goal of guaranteeing equal access to a quality arts education to all
students.
i Brookings Institution, "New Evidence of the Benefits of Arts Education," Brookings, last modified February 12, 2019,
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/new-evidence-of-the-benefits-of-arts-education/.
University of Florida, "The Importance of Art Education in the Classroom," University of Florida Online, accessed January
28, 2025, https://arteducationmasters.arts.ufl.edu/articles/importance-of-art-education/.
James Catterall, Doing Well and Doing Good by Doing Art: The Effects of Education in the Visual and Performing Arts on
the Achievements and Values of Young Adults, ArtsEdSearch, accessed January 28, 2025,
https://www.artsedsearch.org/study/doing-well-and-doing-good-by-doing-art-the-effects-of-education-in-the-visual-and-
performing-arts-on-the-achievements-and-values-of-young-adults/.
ii "Specialized Programs Offered by Public Schools," Arts Integration in SY23-24, all grade levels and sectors, EdScape,
accessed January 02, 2025, https://edscape.dc.gov/page/schools-specialized-programs-offered.
iii "Education Standards," State Board of Education, accessed January 02, 2025, https://sboe.dc.gov/page/education-
standards#:~:text=Early%20Learning%20Standards%20%E2%80%93%20Updated%20January,and%20drafting%2019%20g
uiding%20principles.
_____________________________
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie
_____________________________
Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau
_____________________________
Councilmember Zachary Parker
_____________________________
Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.
_____________________________
Councilmember Brooke Pinto
1
A BILL
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To amend the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000 to establish an Arts Liaison 1
position within the Division of Teaching and Learning in the Office of the State 2
Superintendent of Education, and to outline the duties of the Arts Liaison. 3
4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 5
act may be cited as the “Strengthening Arts in Schools Amendment Act of 2025”. 6
Sec. 2. Section 3(b) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000, effective 7
October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Code – 38-2602(b)) is amended by adding a new 8
paragraph (34) to read as follows: 9
2
“(34)(A) Establish an Arts Liaison position within the Office of the State 10
Superintendent of Education (“OSSE”) regarding arts curriculum and arts standards in DC Public 11
Charter Schools (“DCPCS”) and DC Public Schools (“DCPS”). 12
“(B) In addition to any other duties the OSSE may assign, the Arts Liaison 13
shall: 14
“(i) partner with Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”) and other 15
relevant stakeholders to develop state-level arts standards; 16
“(ii) partner with LEAs to strengthen arts curricula and instruction; 17
“(iii) serve as the primary communication point for arts-related 18
issues at LEAs; 19
“(iv) provide arts-related guidance and support to school 20
administrators and teachers at LEAs; 21
“(v) support professional development opportunities for arts 22
teachers at LEAs; and 23
“(vi) partner with arts organizations to provide resources, 24
opportunities, and organize events for LEAs. 25
“(C) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “arts” shall have the 26
same meaning as provided in section 3(2) of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities Act, 27
effective October 21, 1975 (D.C. Law 1-22; D.C. Code § 39-202(5)).”. 28
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 29
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 30
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 31
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 32
3
Sec. 4. Effective date. 33
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 34
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 35
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 36
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 37
Columbia Register. 38