SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1999-8656

By Senator Bauer

     WHEREAS, Education in the arts is a federally recognized priority in public education as evidenced by the Gaining the Arts Advantage Program; and

     WHEREAS, Application for, selection as, and participation in the program requires a sustained commitment to arts education as a core curriculum in all schools, a record of student achievement in the arts, evidence of advanced programs, and funding for teachers, materials, and facilities; and

     WHEREAS, The Vancouver Washington School District has actively participated as a case-study school district in a study performed for the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the Arts Education Partnership; and

     WHEREAS, The interrelating factors that contribute to strong, district-wide arts education include:  A community consensus that enables a school board and administration to fund arts education; central office leadership and a cadre of building principals who see the arts as a core school subject; strong arts teachers who practice their art inside and outside the school; and an active presence of community arts and cultural organizations in the district's schools, including utilization of school performing arts venues; and

     WHEREAS, Dr. James Parsley, Superintendent of the Vancouver School District, the school board and administration, the teachers, the parents, the students, and the Vancouver community and arts community conceived and implemented a plan for establishing arts education as a core subject in all schools and involving the community in that enterprise;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize and honor the Vancouver School District and community for exemplary participation in establishing the arts as an integral part of education and community in Vancouver; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Vancouver School District.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1999-8656,

adopted by the Senate April 14, 1999.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate