S.J.R. 9 Enrolled

RESOLUTION ON FUNDING THE ARTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2000 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Karen Hale
D. Edgar Allen
Ron Allen
Gene Davis
Mike Dmitrich
Scott N. Howell
Joseph L. Hull
Lorin V. Jones
Paula F. Julander
Ed P. Mayne
Howard C. Nielson
Millie M. Peterson
L. Steven Poulton
David H. Steele
Pete Suazo
Michael G. Waddoups
Lane Beattie

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT WRITTEN
POLICIES THAT IMPLEMENT THE FINE ARTS CORE CURRICULUM AND TO WORK
WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS
TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES TO ADEQUATELY PROVIDE FOR THE FUNDING OF ARTS
PROGRAMS IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, recent national studies have confirmed that students with high levels of arts
participation outperform students who have had little or no involvement with the arts by virtually
every measure;
WHEREAS, people learn in many different ways, and the arts provide a wide variety of
ways to successfully learn, increasing student self confidence and the potential to learn more;
WHEREAS, the arts require that students learn self-motivation and self-discipline that the
students can apply to other courses and encourage students to aim high and achieve academic
excellence in all subjects through performing in music, dance, visual art, theater, and creative
writing;
WHEREAS, research shows that the arts actually stimulate neurological development,
which is important to all areas of learning, and that the important thinking and learning skills that
are taught through the arts enhance a student's ability to solve problems, make decisions, ask
questions and analyze information, evaluate the student's own work, and complete complex and
multi-faceted projects;

WHEREAS, arts education teaches students to work cooperatively as a team and unites
students from diverse walks of life through the common and shared language of dance, music, folk
and ethnic arts;
WHEREAS, children are calmer, more teachable because of the physical, emotional, and
creative outlets the arts offer;
WHEREAS, the arts develop creativity, and creative problems-solving skills that are needed
in all areas of living and working;
WHEREAS, recent research has shown that students who are not having positive experiences
in their traditional academic classroom settings often become high achievers in arts learning settings
and that success in the arts becomes a bridge to learning and eventual success in other areas of
learning;
WHEREAS, an arts education builds specific workforce skills that business values and it also
builds values that connect children to themselves and to their own culture and civilization;
WHEREAS, the public is demanding more than ever from our public schools, wanting to
equip young people for professionally and personally rewarding careers, and it recognizes that to do
so those young people must be given greatly enriched experiences; and
WHEREAS, researchers have confirmed that young people can be better prepared for the 21st
Century through quality learning experiences in and through the arts:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses its support for the
State Board of Education and local school boards to adopt written polices to implement the fine arts
core curriculum and to collaborate with state and local government, business, and community leaders
to identify and secure financial resources to adequately fund the implementation of the fine arts core
curriculum in the state's public schools.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages the State Board of Education
and local school boards to cooperatively develop a plan to strengthen arts education throughout the
public education system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the State Board of
Education and the state's 40 local school boards.

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