A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT directing local school administrative units and public schools in north carolina to enhance their arts education programs, as recommended by the arts education commission.
Whereas, the General Assembly finds that many local school administrative units (LEAs) and public schools in North Carolina have demonstrated a commitment to comprehensive arts education, including (i) establishing local arts education graduation requirements, as in Pitt County Schools; (ii) providing access to a variety of arts course work and extracurricular activities in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts, as in Chapel Hill City Schools, Chatham County Schools, and Cumberland County Schools; and (iii) encouraging cooperative integration of arts in other courses, as in Person County Schools; and
Whereas, the General Assembly commends these school systems and encourages continuation of these efforts as a model for all North Carolina schools; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The State Board of Education shall direct all local school administrative units to:
(1)	Explore ways to access and involve the unique resources available in each community to enhance arts exposure, arts integration, and arts education to provide comprehensive arts education to all students.
(2)	Seek public‑private partnerships and work with local arts and civic groups to find volunteers to assist in developing and supporting comprehensive arts education.
SECTION 2.  Each local school administrative unit shall report to the State Board of Education by June 1, 2013, on its implementation of Section 1 of this act.
SECTION 3.  The State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by September 1, 2013, on the implementation of this act.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.