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Theater and dance classes decline in elementary schools
News release: The number of elementary schools nationwide offering classes in theater and dance has declined in the past decade, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Education. The report says there have not been significant national declines in the availability of music and visual arts instruction in elementary and secondary schools. But for theater and dance in elementary schools, the percentages of schools making these art forms available went from 20 percent 10 years ago to only 4 and 3 percent, respectively, in 2009-10. In addition, at more than 40 percent of secondary schools, coursework in arts was not required for graduation in 2009-10.
View the full report (PDF file).