ACTION: Arts Diploma Endorsement Passes House! Ask Senate for Support, Thank House
On Tuesday March 7th, the NC House of Representative unanimously passed (114-0) H136 which would create an Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement. Arts NC is proud to have endorsed this bill and is grateful to Rep. Jeffrey Elmore who filed the bill, Arts Caucus Chairs Rep. Becky Carney and Rep. Kyle Hall, who were also primary sponsors, and all the NC House Representative that sponsored H136 and/or voted to create the Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement. After having been scheduled just that morning, the bill was approved by the House Education Committee, then was advanced by the House Rules Committee, and finally passed by the House of Representives, all in less than five hours.
The endorsement would be awarded to those graduates who have completed at least four arts credits with an average non-weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and participated in at least 40 hours of extra-curricular arts activities. Further criteria will be determined by the NC Department of Public Instruction, and local school boards will be able to approve which extra-curricular arts activities will be accepted.
NOW is the time TAKE 2 MINUTES to THANK your NC House Representative for supporting H136 and urge the NC Senate to pass this bill and create an ARTS PROFICIENCY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ENDORESEMENT as soon as possible.
Studies show that low-income students are five times less likely to drop out and twice as likely to achieve a college degree if they are involved in the arts throughout high school. Also, on average students engaged in the arts score 100 points higher on their SATs. The requirement to participate in extra-curricular arts activities would boost engagement in arts programs both in schools and through programs in local communities, such as arts nonprofits. The Arts Proficiency High School Diploma Endorsement is good for the arts, good for arts educators, and good for our high school students.