Arts for All: The Vanguard Districts

The following report contains findings from case studies of the first 11 districts to join the initiative, six in 2003-2004 and five in 2004-2005. These initial districts, referred to as the Vanguard Districts, developed strategic plans to guide efforts to offer sequential, standards based arts instruction for all students. The case studies were written in 2008 to document the progress made and the issues confronted by each district during the early stages of planning and implementing their arts plans. A second purpose was to measure preliminary effects on the level of student access to arts instruction. The results of the research are intended for use in identifying meaningful ways for Arts Commission staff and its partners to provide technical assistance as the Arts for All initiative advances.