Through data and description, the districts provided information about student performance, breadth and depth of arts education offerings, staffing, access, innovation, community involvement, resources, leadership, and use of guidelines such as local, state, or national standards. A few of the districts and their states assess student achievement in the arts. Most districts participating in the study offer visual art and music in most of their schools. A few districts offer dance separately from physical education. Some districts mention special writing courses and activities above and beyond creative writing as part of an English course.
Districts usually have more specialists in music than in other disciplines.
Stronger districts have specialists in the elementary schools. Medium-sized to large school systems with support for arts education usually have at least one district arts coordinator. Districts choosing to integrate the arts across the curriculum have a high percentage of classroom teachers using arts techniques. The strongest districts make a commitment to providing a basic education in the arts to every child, usually in the elementary years. Districts perceive graduation requirements in the arts as helpful in increasing access and exposure in secondary schools.