Teaching Math through the Visual Arts

Object Lessons - Stenhouse Publishers

NEA FINE ARTS CAUCUS AGENDA 7.18.11

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Monday, July 18, 2011,
7:30 PM CST * 5:30 PST * 8:30 EST

I.          Roll Call of Executive Board Members

Chair - Tom McLauglin (IA); Vice-Chair - Debbie Turici (PA); Secretary - Rich Nicklay (IA); Treasurer - Oscar Forsman (IL); Music - Pam Gibberman (CA), Jessica Fitzwater (MD); Visual Arts - Dorian Clouser (TX), Carlos Meikel (CO); Dance and Drama - Ginger  Fox (CA), Carol Woodman (WA); Co-Founder--Bob Lague (MA)

Roll Call of Committee Volunteers
Floor Strategy--Kathi Zamora (NV) & Dan Caruso; Scholarship—Tom McLaughlin (IA), Rich Nicklay (IA), Dan Caruso (MA), Tom McLaughlin (IA); Membership—Jessica Fitzwater (MD) and Shawne Stone (WA); Non-Profit Table—Pam Gibberman (CA) & Jack Rowe (IA); Special Events/Promotional Materials—Tom McLaughlin (IA), Paulett Hahn (WI), Jessica Fitzwater (MD); Newsletter—Steve Dinneno (PA), Shawne Stone (WA); Candidate Endorsement Sarah Tochiki (HI), Sue Lemma (PA); Design a Logo Contest—Deb Turici (PA)

New Details Emerge on Duncan's NCLB Waiver Plan

by Alyson Klein  •  July 15, 2011

It's been about a month since U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that, since Congress wasn't making significant progress on reauthorizing the current version of the Elementary and Secondary Education, he would step in and offer waivers to states from parts of the law.

Now, of course, the big question is: What exactly would that mean?
The department has been mum so far (even to some members of Congress) but speculation about the specifics is high, particularily among state chiefs¹.

PLEASE READ ON...

U.S. House Subcommittee Proposes $20 Million Cut to NEA Funding

from Americans for the Arts

Arts Advocate:

 

Once again, the budget of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is facing cuts. This morning, a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee began the funding cycle for Fiscal Year 2012 by approving legislation to fund the NEA at $135.2 million, which is a reduction of $20 million from the current year. If enacted, it would be the deepest cut to the NEA in 16 years. Please take two minutes to send a customizable message to your member of Congress calling on them to reject these funding cuts.

 

This budget proposal is disappointing, represents a disproportionate cut, and appears counter-productive to the stated objectives of growing American jobs.

 

This proposed cut to the NEA is 13 percent below the current funding level, while overall funding in the bill, which includes agencies like the EPA, Interior Department and the U.S. Forest Service, is reduced by only 7 percent. As Americans for the Arts stated during the contentious FY 2011 budget consideration earlier this year, the arts community recognizes the shared sacrifice being asked of all federal agencies to help reduce our national debt and it is willing to do its part.
The arts sector has proven to be resilient as a growth industry and a strong contributor to the economy. NEA dollars are a critical lifeline in helping state and local budgets survive as philanthropic dollars are dwindling. This drastic reduction does not take into account the incredible return on investment those funds generate to federal, state and local treasuries.

 

It is expected that the House Appropriations Committee will consider this legislation next week, and the full House of Representatives may consider it before the August recess. A message from you now registering your concerns with your member of Congress would be well-timed to arrive prior to these next steps in the appropriations process.

 

Thank you for your support of the arts! Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. If you are not already a member play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and easy to join.

NBI 42--Fine Arts Advocacy--Narrowly Defeated

We will be reintroducing this next summer.

Fine Arts Advocacy Campaign & Advocacy Toolkit

Move that the NEA President designate a group of NEA members representing the Fine Arts disciplines of music, drama/theatrical arts, visual/media arts, dance, at the elementary, middle school and secondary level to create a Fine Arts Advocacy Task Force to develop a year-long “Arts Advocacy Campaign and Toolkit” to promote arts education and arts programs in public schools and foster collaboration between arts educators and classroom teachers.  Implement the unimplemented recommendations of the 2010-2011 NEA Fine Arts Task Force’s recommendations including:

OUR FOUNDER IS HONORED

We are pleased to announce that our NEA Fine Arts Caucus Co-Founder Has Been Honored by the NEA and the Fine Arts Caucus at the 2011 NEA Represtative Assembly in Chicago, Illinois—We are Humbled by Your Contributions to OUR Students Bob

Robert A. Lague is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in Applied Piano.  He studied Choral Direction with Lorna Cooke DeVaron and piano with Alfred Lague, his father, and Howard Goding.  Alfred, a former RIMEA President, and Bob gave many duo-piano concerts together. 

Mr. Lague was President of the NEC Chorus and a bass from Massachusetts in the Bicentennial Chorus of America under the direction of Lukas Foss.

Fine Arts Caucus RA Meeting Minutes 7.5.2011

Minutes of Meeting

5 July 2011

Meeting was called to order by Tom McLaughlin, chair, at 3:07.

Members present briefly introduced themselves.  A sign-in sheet was passed.

Steve DiNenno moved and Dorian Clouser seconded, approval of the minutes.  Motion carried.

Jessica Fitzwater moved and Paulette Hahn seconded approval of minutes for both meetings of July 4, 2011.  Motion carried.

Volunteers were solicited for committees.  The following volunteered:

Logo design contest:  Deb Turici and Cynthia LaMere Kelly

Floor strategy:  Kathi Zamora, Dan Caruso and Steve DiNenno

Scholarship committee:  Rich Nicklay, Dan Caruso and Valeria Winston

Newletter:  Steve DiNenno and Shawne Stone

Candidate endorsements:  Sarah Tochiki and Sue Lemmo

RA non-profit table:  Pam Gibberman and Jack Rowe

Membership:  Jessica Fitzwater and Shawne Stone

Special events:  Paulette Hahn and Jessica Fitzwater

FAC Agenda RA Meeting 7.5.2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Working Lunch/Meeting 135N

I.              Call to Order
II.            Roll Call/Introductions
III.           Adoption/modification of Agenda
IV.           Approval of  July 4, 2011 Minutes
V.            Committees
                A.  Audit
                B.  Floor Strategy
              C.  Scholarship Selection
                D.  Design a Logo
                E.   Newsletter
                F.   Candidate Endorsements
                G.   RA Non-Profit Table
                H.   Membership
                I.    Special Events
                J.    Others?
VI.           Post RA 2011 Follow Up
                A.   NBIs 2012
                B.   Directory
                 C.   State Caucus
                 D.  Post RA Survey
                 E.  Thank You letters
                 F.  Concerns/Complaints
                G.  RA 2012 Material (ribbons, pins, shirts, other?)
                H.  Others?
VII.          Membership Updates
VIIII.       Election Results
X.             Announcements/Other
XI.           Adjournment

Submitted respectfully,

FAC Agenda RA Meeting 7.4.2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Sunday, July 4, 2011
Working Lunch/Meeting 135N

I.          Call to Order
II.         Roll Call/Introductions
III.        Adoption/modification of Agenda
IV.        Approval of  July 3, 2011 Minutes
V.         Revision of New Business Item Update
            A.  Fabric of Unionism (Mic Strategy)
VI.        Nominations
VII.      Non-Profit Booth Issues
VIII.     Announcements/Other
IX.        Committee Descriptions
X.         Adjournment

Submitted respectfully,

Tom McLaughlin, NEA Fine Arts Caucus Chair

FAC Agenda RA Meeting 7.3.2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Working Lunch/Meeting 135N

I.          Call to Order
II.         Roll Call/Introductions
III.        Adoption/modification of Agenda
IV.        Approval of  July 3, 2011 Minutes
V.         Vote on proposed Constitution & Bylaws Changes
VI.        NEA Issues
            A.  Barak Obama Endorsement
            B.  Teacher Evaluation & Accountability Policy
            C.  Legislative Crisis Fund
VIII.     Revision of New Business Item Update
            A.  Fabric of Unionism
            B.  Fine Arts Task Force
            C.  Other Issues
IX.        Legislative Agenda Amendments
X.         Non-Profit Booth Issues
XI.        Announcements/Other
XII.       Adjournment

Submitted respectfully,

Tom McLaughlin, NEA Fine Arts Caucus Chair

FAC Agenda RA Meeting 7.2.2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Working Lunch/Meeting 135N

I.          Call to Order
II.         Roll Call/Introductions
III.        Adoption/modification of Agenda
IV.        Approval of  6/30 & 7/1, 2011 Minutes
V.         Reading of Proposed Constitution & Bylaws Changes
VI.        New Signage for Non-Profit Booth
VII.      NEA Issues
            A.  Barak Obama Endorsement
            B.  Teacher Evaluation & Accountability Policy
            C.  Legislative Crisis Fund
VIII.     New Business Item Update
            A.  Fabric of Unionism
            B.  Fine Arts Task Force
            C.  Other Issues
IX.        Legislative Agenda Amendments
X.         Non-Profit Booth Issues
XI.        Announcements/Other
XII.       Adjournment

Submitted respectfully,

Tom McLaughlin, NEA Fine Arts Caucus Chair

Revised NEA FINE ARTS EVENTS & CAUCUS MEETING SCHEDULE AT THE 2011 RA

NEA RA Schedule

	JUNE 30TH	JULY 1ST	JULY 2ND	JULY 3RD	JULY 4TH	JULY 5TH
Fine Arts Caucus	Exhibits 8:00-5:00 pm 10-00 AM THUNDERSOUL Screening at the RA Convention Center S101AB3:20 PM 3:20 THUNDERSOUL Screening at the RA Convention Center S101AB 4 – 6:30 pm Fine Arts Caucus Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135	Exhibits 8:00-5:00 pm 12 – 1 pm Fine Arts Caucus Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135	Exhibits 8:00-10:00 am Non-profit exhibits 10:00-5:00 9:30 – 10 am Fine Arts Caucus First Meeting at the NEA FAC Non-Profit Table (if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Noon--NEA & NEA FAC Recognition of Robert Lague--RA Stage 2:30-3:30 pm Fine Arts Caucus Meeting Convention Center Room N135 6:30-10:00 NEA/NPR Friendship Night FROM THE TOP—Celebrating the Arts in our schools and kicking off our national Arts Advocacy Campaign.	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  9:00-5:00 pm 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  10:00-5:00 pm 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  10:00-5:00 pm NEA FINE ARTS CAUCUS EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS 10:00-3:00 PM. FINE ARTS CAUCUS PHOTO AT LUNCH BREAK. 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135 BOOTH STRIKE 5:00--ALL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS Post RA Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135

THUNDERSOUL Screening at 2011 RA--Arts Teachers Sought to Speak After Screening

We are at the beginning of a terrific partnership with Anita Merina, NEA Read Across America,  the producers of this film and its director, producers and Jamie Foxx.  NEA Fine Arts Caucus Members, NEA Members and guests have been invited to the films first screen at the NEA RA on June 30, 2011 in Room S101AB on the Convention Center.

We are looking for FAC members/arts teachers/advocates to speak about the importance of arts education after each of the screenings.

]

NEA & NPR Arts Event FROM THE TOP Used to Kick-Off Our Year-Long Arts Advocacy Campaign

JOIN IN A CELBRATION OF STUDENTS AND THE ARTS.July 2, 2011 * Tickets $7.50 * 6:30-10:00 PM
Arie Crown Theatre, Lakeside Building, McCormick Place

Tickets Available at: http://www.cvent.com/d/3dqhfd  

NEA FINE ARTS CAUCUS AGENDA & MINUTES JUNE 22, 2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
7:30 PM CST * 5:30 PST * 8:30 EST

I.          Roll Call was called at 7:32 PM--Members present: Tom McLaughlin, Deb Turici, Pam Gibberman, Andy Pors, Dan Caruso, Kathi Zamora.  Absent: Sue Lemmo, Steve Dineno, Charlie Fry, Rich Nicklay,  Guest--Princess Moss)

II.         Adoption/modification of Agenda (moved by Caruso, seconded by Gibberman, Motion Passed) (attachment 622.1)

III.        Approval of 6/12/2010 Minutes (attachment to follow—item tabled)

IV.        Treasurer’s Report (attachment 622.2) (Moved Caruso, Seconded by Gibberman—Motion Passed)

V.         Final Constitution Approval (attachment to follow—item tabled)

VI.        General RA Communication tools (attachments 622.3-622.5)  VI.       NEA RA Schedule & Mechanics (attachment 622.6) (Moved by Gibberman, Seconded by

RHODE ISLAND LEADS LEGISLATIVE ACTION TOWARD STEAM

A briefing marking Rhode Island’s commitment to fostering innovation through the addition of Art and Design to STEM education and research.

NEA Fine Arts Caucus On-Line Advocacy Kit

GENERAL ARTS ADVOCACY

• Advocacy for Arts in General
• Advocacy for Community Schools
• Americans for the Arts
• Arts Education Advocacy
• The National Guild

SPECIFIC ARTS ADVOCACY SITES

Each of the discipline specific arts education service organizations’ websites contain a great deal of information on how to advocate for the arts as a part of education. These sites are a great starting point for finding statistics, research reports, sample speeches, letters and the like.
American Association of Community Theatres http://www.aact.org/advocacy.html

Amendments for Consideration by the 2011 RA

To establish for five (5) membership years (from 2011-2012 through 2015-2016) an additional

NEA Bylaw 2-7.n provides that as of the 2007-2008 membership year, the annual membership dues

Contact: NEA Board of Directors

2. Membership

2-7. Membership Dues.

n. Beginning with the 2007-08 membership year, the annual membership dues of Active members of the Association, as computed pursuant to Bylaw 2-7.a, shall be increased by ten dollars ($10.00), with an additional increase of ten dollars ($10.00) for the 2011-2012 through 2015-2016 membership years. This dues increase shall be allocated to the Ballot Measure/Legislative Crises and Media Campaign Fund.  The annual membership dues of Student members of the Association, as established pursuant to Bylaw 2-7.g, shall include one dollar ($1.00) to be allocated to the Ballot Measure/Legislative Crises and Media Campaign Fund.

Campaign Fund during each membership year shall be available to assist state affiliates in dealing with ballot measures and legislative crises, and forty percent (40%) shall be available for national and state

Art and Music Learning Emphasize Interactivity, Real-World Relevance

by Katie Ash  •  EDUCATION WEEK
June 22, 2011

Melissa Flores, a senior in Matt Cauthron’s art class, recently got a taste of what it might be like to shoot photographs for a living.

Mr. Cauthron, who teaches at the Digital Arts Technology Academy at the 2,800-student Cathedral City High School, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, hooked his students up with a local skateboarding shop to create a photo session.

“That kind of fashion shooting was really practical for me,” said Ms. Flores, “because I went on to shoot fashion week,” an annual professional event in El Paseo, Calif., that showcases fashion from the region. “I got to see what it was like to be a professional photographer.”

Problems with Standardized Testing

Need some research to convince policy makers that standardized tests are not the answer and that we should advocate for authentic, performance and alternative assessment?

• Ravitch: Standardized Testing Undermines Teaching - http://www.npr.org/2011/04/28/135142895/ravitch-standardized-testing-undermines-teaching
• When Will the Testing Bubble Burst? - http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2011/04/when_will_the_testing_bubble_b.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dbb7ec542a97d3b%2C0

NEA FINE ARTS CAUCUS MINUTES 6/12/2011

Minutes from meeting 6.12.2011

Conference call was held on 12 June 2011.

Members present:

Tom McLaughlin, IA

Rich Nicklay, IA

Charlie Fry, PA

Debbie Turicci, PA

Pam Gibberman, CA

Oscar Forsman, IL

Sue Lemmo, PA

Kathi Zamora, NV

Tom called the meeting to order at 7:45p CST

NEA FAC AGENDA 6/12/2011

NEA Fine Arts Caucus Agenda
Sunday, June 12, 2011
7:30 PM CST * 5:30 PST * 8:30 EST

I.          Roll Call

II.         Adoption/modification of Agenda (Attachment 611.1)

III.        Approval of 5/1/2010 Minutes (Attachment 612.0)

IV.       NEA RA Schedule & Mechanics

	JUNE 30TH	JULY 1ST	JULY 2ND	JULY 3RD	JULY 4TH	JULY 5TH
Fine Arts Caucus	Exhibits 8:00-5:00 pm 4 – 6:30 pm Fine Arts Caucus Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135	Exhibits 8:00-5:00 pm 12 – 1 pm Fine Arts Caucus Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135	Exhibits 8:00-10:00 am Non-profit exhibits 10:00-5:00 9:30 – 10 am Fine Arts Caucus First Meeting at the NEA FAC Non-Profit Table (if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) 2:30-3:30 pm Fine Arts Caucus Meeting Convention Center Room N135 6:30-10:00 NEA/NPR Friendship Night FROM THE TOP—Celebrating the Arts in our schools and kicking off our national Arts Advocacy Campaign.	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  9:00-5:00 pm 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  10:00-5:00 pm 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135	Non Profit NEA Fine Arts Caucus Booth Open  10:00-5:00 pm NEA FINE ARTS CAUCUS EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTIONS 10:00-3:00 PM. FINE ARTS CAUCUS PHOTO AT LUNCH BREAK. 9:30 – 10 am Executive Board/First Meeting & Open to All Members (depends if transportation allows leadership and members to arrive in time) Convention Ctr Working Lunch Meeting FAC to be announced on FB and in text messages.  Meetings will be held at an appropriate break in the Annual Meeting.  Convention Center Room N135 BOOTH STRIKE 5:00--ALL EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS Post RA Executive Board Meeting Convention Ctr Room N135

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: WE NEED RELIEF NOW!

Today, [my principal told me] that I can only teach reading and math during the school day in my sixth grade class.  Everyone is so scared to not make AYP, that this is the response that we are getting….I'm not allowed to teach science, social studies, and writing, [or] address the poverty students' needs or those who are neglected in some form or another.  Can I incorporate some of this into my reading and math?  Yes, I can do that because I'm a great teacher who cares about a well-rounded student.  But it won't be enough.  What do I tell my coworkers in middle school who teach these other subjects?  There are major flaws in NCLB and they need [to be] fixed now…. Please help!  – NEA Cyber-lobbyist, Wisconsin

Kansas Arts Agency Eliminated

May 28, 2011—In response to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s decision to veto funding for the Kansas Arts Commission, Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, issued the following statement:

Americans for the Arts is disappointed with Governor Sam Brownback’s decision to eliminate the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) by vetoing the legislative branch’s budget for the agency. His action not only robs the citizens of his state of access to quality arts programming, but is also a direct affront to his campaign platform to create jobs and rebuild the state’s economy.  Kansas now holds the dubious distinction of being the only state without a functioning state agency in charge of promoting the arts and culture.

 
Further, the KAC received a matching grant of $778,200 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in 2011 to support Kansas jobs, artists and cultural groups. That funding is now lost for 2012 with the elimination of the KAC, the only agency in Kansas that is eligible for the NEA’s matching grants. Kansas also loses the $437,767 the KAC brought in from its regional partner, the Mid-America Arts Alliance. This $1.2 million funding shortfall far exceeds the $689,000 KAC appropriation recommended by the Kansas legislature during budget negotiations.
 
We at Americans for the Arts understand that times are tough, and governors across the country are facing hard budget decisions. We further recognize that the arts will have to do their part to ensure state governments are able to make ends meet. So while some cuts to arts funding are expected, they should be proportional to those of other government services.  We all have to do our part. The arts alone should not be sacrificed as they have been in Kansas as the total elimination of the KAC does not substantially solve Kansas’s budget deficit but rather removes $1.2 million in federal money from Kansas’ economy—money that will now go to other states.

Teacher leaders recommend overhaul of evaluation and accountability

NEA focused squarely on student success and ‘true profession’ with highest standards

WASHINGTON - May 11, 2011 - Signaling a commitment to a new, more prestigious profession of teaching, the National Education Association (NEA) is calling on its members to set a course to overhaul teacher evaluation and accountability and advance student learning.

Based on recommendations of a workgroup of NEA leaders convened this spring by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, the NEA Board of Directors has approved for final action a policy statement that revamps teacher evaluation and accountability. The statement reflects the first broad endorsement by NEA of the need for evaluation and accountability reform.