PRINTER'S NO. 400
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.38
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY COMITTA, CAPPELLETTI, SCHWANK, FONTANA, STREET,
BROWN, HUGHES, HUTCHINSON, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, MILLER, KANE,
STEFANO, SANTARSIERO AND MASTRIANO, MARCH 17, 2025
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 17, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of March 2025 as "Music in Our Schools
Month," "Theater in Our Schools Month," "Dance in Our Schools
Month" and "Youth Art Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Arts education experiences have substantive effects
on student academic, social and emotional outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Social and emotional learning skills are more
necessary than ever; and
WHEREAS, Research and studies have shown that engagement in
arts education has a positive impact on student compromise,
teamwork, compassion and empathy for others; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act recognizes
fine arts programs as fulfilling the requirement that each
school provide a well-rounded education to students; and
WHEREAS, In this Commonwealth, students in kindergarten
through 12th grade must be provided with instruction in fine
arts disciplines, including music, dance, theater and visual
art; and
WHEREAS, Disadvantaged students who receive an arts education
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18 are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree than
students who lack those experiences; and
WHEREAS, The study of music engages students in creative,
cultural, aesthetic, intellectual, social, physical and
emotional development; and
WHEREAS, Music education helps develop students' skills
critical to 21st century learning for success in school and
life; and
WHEREAS, These skills are integral to the economy of this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association is
leading the conversation Statewide on the importance of quality
music education in schools; and
WHEREAS, Theater education teaches invaluable skills needed
to be successful in the workforce, including the ability to
listen, artistic sense, nonverbal communication, enthusiasm and
storytelling; and
WHEREAS, Drama instruction integrated into elementary
classrooms improves students' social and emotional development
and contributes to a positive classroom culture; and
WHEREAS, English language learners in kindergarten through
second grade who received weekly drama lessons demonstrated
increased listening and speaking skills on standardized tests;
and
WHEREAS, Reading play scripts out loud has been found to help
at-risk middle school students become better readers; and
WHEREAS, Only 28% of public high schools in high-poverty
areas offer theater instruction; and
WHEREAS, The Educational Theatre Association envisions every
student will have access to theater taught by qualified
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30 educators as a vital part of a well-rounded education and is
dedicated to shaping lives through theater education; and
WHEREAS, Education in the art of dance develops the knowledge
and skills required to create, perform and understand movement
as a means of artistic communication; and
WHEREAS, A comprehensive education in dance includes
improvisation, technique, choreography, performance, observation
and analysis; and
WHEREAS, Dance education engages the artistic processes of
creating, performing and critical analysis by requiring students
to read symbol systems, use critical thinking skills, excel in
nonverbal reasoning and communication, exchange ideas, work
cooperatively and collaboratively with others and interact in a
multicultural society; and
WHEREAS, Student achievement, teacher satisfaction and school
culture are improved through dance education as demonstrated by
increased reading and STEM test scores, improved memory
retention and cognitive connections and enhanced teacher and
school morale; and
WHEREAS, The National Dance Education Organization is
dedicated to advancing dance education for individuals of all
backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, Visual arts education is valuable in developing
divergent and critical thinking, multicultural awareness and
technical, communication and expressive skills among students;
and
WHEREAS, The Council for Art Education promotes quality
school visual art education programs in kindergarten through
12th grade across the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Council for Art Education's "Youth Art Month"
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30 theme for 2025 is "Healing through Color"; and
WHEREAS, "Youth Art Month" recognizes art education as a
viable factor in the total education curriculum and directs
attention to the value of art education for divergent and
critical thinking; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of March 2025
as "Music in Our Schools Month," "Theater in Our Schools Month,"
"Dance in Our Schools Month" and "Youth Art Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize schools and certified
arts educators in efforts to provide more robust, comprehensive
arts education curriculum for students in kindergarten through
12th grade; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the positive impact that
music, theater, dance and visual art education has on
communities and students across this Commonwealth to help raise
awareness regarding the need for access to quality programs for
all students regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity
or ability.
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