New York State Arts Education Requirements

 

State & City Requirements and Guidelines

PREK-K: 

Each such school operating a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program shall establish and provide an educational program based on and adapted to the ages, interests, and needs of the children. Learning activities in such programs shall include dramatic play, creative art, and music activities.

GRADES 1-3: 

In grades 1 through 3, all students shall receive instruction that is designed to facilitate their attainment of the State elementary learning standards in the arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

Twenty percent of the weekly time spent in school should be allocated to dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. In New York City, this is the equivalent of approximately 186 hours throughout the entire school year equally allocated between dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

GRADES 4-6: 

In grades 4 through 6, all students shall receive instruction that is designed to facilitate their attainment of the State elementary learning standards in the arts, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

Ten percent of the weekly time spent in school should be allocated to dance, music, theater, and visual arts. In New York City, this is the equivalent of approximately 93 hours throughout the entire school year equally allocated between dance, music, theater, and visual arts.

GRADES 7-8: 

All students shall be provided instruction designed to enable them to achieve, by the end of grade 8, State intermediate learning standards in the arts, including one-half unit of study in the visual arts, and one half unit of study in music.

*In New York City, one-half unit is the equivalent of approximately 54 hours of instruction by a licensed arts teacher and may be offered in dance, music, theater or visual arts.

GRADES 9-12: 

New York State Graduation requirements for the arts include one unit (one year) in visual arts and/or music, dance, or theater. In New York City, one unit of credit is the equivalent of approximately 108 hours of instruction by a licensed arts teacher.

Availability of Arts Sequences NYSED Requirement: High schools have the option of fulfilling the graduation requirement through either ½ unit of credit (one semester each) in both visual arts and music, or one unit of credit (one year) in one of the four arts forms.

All public school districts shall offer students the opportunity to complete a three- or five-unit sequence in the arts (art, music, dance or theater).