That may change if Gov. Gavin Newsom's initial state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year is signed into law. The proposal, which is subject to change in May when the numbers are revised as economic conditions and policy issues change, requires the Teacher Credentials Commission to create a new elementary arts and education program for career technical education teachers. It calls for the creation of music education pathways. The expansion will allow more working artists to share their expertise with California students, a move many arts advocates have praised.
“Newsome fosters creativity and skill development at every step, paving the way for a more vibrant and well-rounded educational experience,” said Alison Gamlen, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the San Mateo County Office of Education. ” he said. “Enabling CTE teachers to bring their expertise into elementary school classrooms is a positive step in enriching the artistic learning experiences of our young students.”
Extending this qualification to elementary schools could help school systems struggling to retain staff during the pandemic recruit working artists, from musicians to animators, who are passionate about their art. .
“This is really exciting,” said Austin Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, who drafted Proposition 28. He addressed the Governor's direction to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to expand career technical education pathways for arts educators to elementary schools. “All 6 million children attending public schools across California will now be able to benefit from the additional funding Proposition 28 provides for arts education.”
While many arts advocates are excited, others are cautioning patience given the exhaustive nature of the bureaucratic process. For example, there is a good chance that the budget will undergo major changes in the May revision.
“To meet the needs of Proposition 28, teaching artists will have new avenues for employment in schools,” said CSU East Bay professor emeritus and California Council on Teacher Education. said Eric Engdahl, former chairman. However, “Knowing how the state bureaucracy works and the laws that regulate its behavior, I don't think there will be any new teachers for at least two years, maybe more.”
One of the main concerns is whether artists have sufficient knowledge of best practices for younger children. For example, some are concerned that teaching third graders requires her to have a different skill set than eighth graders.
“There are many fundamental considerations in elementary education, including meeting the developmental and reading needs of young students,” said Letty Krause, director of the California County Superintendent's Statewide Arts Initiative. Ta. “The developmental part is the important part.”
Krauss believes the state should solve staffing problems by expanding the existing pipeline of arts educators.
“Rather than pushing CTE down to an entry-level level, we should look at existing credentialing systems and how to increase statewide access to credentialing pathways, including virtual, and how to remove financial barriers to support credentialing.” “I think it's important to consider that,” she said. Until the candidate completes student teaching. ”
Some arts education experts caution that teaching a subject is not the same as practicing it.
“I have concerns about CTE teachers teaching core subjects like art, math, and science. Just because you've mastered a subject doesn't mean you can teach it,” Advocate said. said Abe Flores, associate director of policy and programs for the organization Create CA. “I know how to read, but that doesn't mean I can properly teach my students how to read.”
Some say new qualifications should not only address pedagogical concerns, but also require sufficient training in child development.
“Now that it's in the CTC's court, the CTC will have to create a pathway to ensure that it is prepared,” Engdahl said. “The CTE credential requires coursework in addition to industry experience, and CTC should carefully consider those coursework.”
Mr. Engdahl believes that aspiring arts educators will pay proper attention to their professional development.
