The Honorable Sununu  Education Commissioner Edelblut   Drew Cline, Chair

Office of the Governor  Department of Education   NH State Board of Education
107 N Main St    25 Hall Street     25 Hall Street
Concord, NH 03301   Concord, NH 03301-3860   Concord, NH 03301-3860

Dear Governor Sununu, DOE Commissioner Edelblut and State BOE Chair Cline,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Position/Title, e.g., concerned citizen, teacher, parent, etc.] residing in [City/Town]. I am writing to you today with a concern for our students. It has come to my attention that the state Department of Education lacks an individual who is a subject matter expert in the areas of the Arts (including music, visual arts, dance and theatre), Physical Education and Health. This matters because these subjects are required not only as essential components of a well-rounded education but are also required in all our public schools under New Hampshire RSA193-E:2-a, Substantive Education Content of an Adequate Education, and Ed 306, Minimum Standards for School Approval. 

Without an individual with such expertise at the NHED (NH Education Department), students lose out because there is no one individual who carries a statewide view, someone who: pulls together and disseminates information on these specific academic standards and competencies; helps educators leverage our state-based resources and supports our not-for-profit professional service organizations (see References); and provides essential professional development for teachers. This individual is also a crucial contact for teacher preparation programs at our institutes of higher education, those that are responsible for building our teacher pipeline. Collectively, this individual works across the entire ecosphere to promote a coherent and seamless K-12 and post-secondary system for delivering quality Arts, PE, and Health programs in our state. 

As state non-tested subject areas, these programs are often considered tertiary to student success, making it easy to deprioritize and devalue their importance to a student’s education; however, these areas significantly impact the holistic development of our students, fostering creativity, critical thinking, physical health, emotional resilience, and social skills. These are undeniable benefits and deeply held beliefs by those in our state, such as me, who value and advocate for learning opportunities in our schools that support the whole child and align with many schools' Portrait of a Graduate.

To address these challenges, I propose the establishment of a dedicated position for the Arts, Physical Education, and Health within our state education agency. This individual would be responsible for:

 Information, Communication and Awareness: 
Communicating the importance of quality programming in the Arts, PE, and Health within our public-school systems to policymakers, educators, parents, and the community at large.
Disseminating information about best practices and opportunities for program enhancement through federal, state, and private grant opportunities.
Professional Development: 
Collaborating with recognized professional service organizations and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and Department of Health and Human Services to provide training and to educators to enhance their skills and effectiveness in delivering quality programs in these areas and grant opportunities provided through these partners.
Program Coordination: 
Evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting current research and recommendations for improving K-12 education.
Facilitating collaboration and information sharing among public schools and teacher preparation programs to create a cohesive and comprehensive educational experience for students.
Assessment and Improvement: 
Participate in adequacy determinations for these subject areas as set forth in statute, evaluating the effectiveness of programs and recommending strategies for continuous improvement.
Investing in this position would demonstrate our state's commitment to nurturing the whole child, educating them not only academically but also giving them full knowledge of and access to their personal assets and attributes, thereby more completely preparing them for the challenges of the future. Research consistently shows that students who engage in the arts perform better academically, exhibit improved behavior, and have higher levels of engagement and motivation. Moreover, considering the growing concerns regarding mental health and well-being, especially following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that we prioritize socialization skills, attendance, motivation and resiliency. These three subject areas provide students with the tools they need to navigate their emotions, build healthy relationships, and maintain physical well-being.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I respectfully urge you to consider reinstating a designated education consultant for Arts, Physical Education, and Health at the state Department of Education. By doing so, we can ensure that every student in our state has access to a comprehensive, enriching education that equips them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in all aspects of life.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

 

References: 

Art: NHAEA http://nhaeapresident@gmail.com

HPE: NHAHPERD https://www.nhahperd.org

Music: NHMEA https://nhmea.org

Other non-profit organizations representing physical activity, sports, wellness, arts and cultural institutions that have an educational component.