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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Among the notable resources of the State of Texas |
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are the talent and creativity of its citizens, and hundreds of young |
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artists are visiting Austin to share their talents through |
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performances and displays on March 4-5, 2013, in celebration of an |
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event organized by the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education, |
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Arts Education Days at the State Capitol; and |
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WHEREAS, More than 1.5 million middle and high school |
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students in Texas are enrolled in fine arts courses, and over 2.3 |
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million elementary school students are receiving fine arts |
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instruction, with more than 10,000 creative men and women teaching |
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the classes; and |
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WHEREAS, Visual art, music, theater, and dance offer |
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important opportunities for self-expression, and early exposure to |
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the arts through educational programs greatly increases the quality |
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of a child's education; studies have found that students who |
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participate in fine arts courses in school not only perform better |
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in other academic courses, but also achieve higher scores on |
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standardized tests; and |
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WHEREAS, In Texas, studies of public school enrollment have |
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found that campuses with a higher percentage of students in fine |
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arts courses achieved higher academic ratings; moreover, campuses |
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that showed an improvement in their academic rating from 2006 to |
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2010 also reported increases in fine arts course enrollments, and |
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campuses with a higher percentage of students enrolled in fine arts |
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courses reported higher graduation rates; and |
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WHEREAS, Fine arts courses promote innovative thinking, a |
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skill that is essential to succeed in college and the 21st century |
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workforce, and they can further provide unique lessons in the |
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cultures of the world; and |
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WHEREAS, The contributions of those who engage in the arts |
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enrich the lives of us all, and it is indeed fitting to take this |
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opportunity to honor Texas art students and their teachers and to |
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wish them well in their creative endeavors; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 4-5, 2013, as Arts Education |
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Days at the State Capitol and welcome the students and teachers who |
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are participating in this special event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education as an |
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expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |