Header, the Administration of the Honorable Lincoln C. Almond
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Executive Order 99-02
March 25, 1999


LITERACY IN THE ARTS TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, the arts are integral to the success of Rhode Island's Comprehensive Education Strategy because a comprehensive arts education program provides opportunities for students to achieve at high levels and is a catalyst for broad public involvement in education; and

WHEREAS,, an effective education prepares students for living in a diverse society, and the arts help them achieve an in-depth understanding of many cultures and their history; and

WHEREAS, the arts teach skills necessary to the skilled worker and workplace of tomorrow; and

WHEREAS, the arts play a significant role in helping children to develop the skills of literacy and a love of reading; and

WHEREAS, studying the arts allows students to understand the past, experience and derive meaning from the present, and envision and shape the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I LINCOLN C. ALMOND, by the virtue of the power vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby order as follows:

1. There is hereby created a Literacy in the Arts Task Force, a joint effort of the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, to examine the relationship between education reform and the arts, and to make policy recommendations on how the ans can have a significant impact on the educational agenda of Rhode Island.

2. In order to determine its findings and shape policy recommendations, the Task Force shall meet regularly, hold public dialogue sessions, and commission written input from selected experts in the field of arts and education policy.

3 . The Task force shall consist of 19 members jointly recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and appointed by the Governor, with the Governor designating the Chair from the appointed members, as follows: the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or designee; the Executive Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts or designee; the Commissioner of Higher Education or designee; the President of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees or designee; the President of the National Education Association of Rhode Island or designee; the President of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers or designee; the President of the Rhode Island Congress of Parents and Teachers or designee; the President of the Rhode Island Alliance for Art Education or designee; the President of the Rhode Island Music Education Association or designee; a designated representative of the Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; and the President of the Rhode Island Theatre Education Association or designee. The remaining members shall be chosen from the business and ans communities, with a strong regard for persons who have a commitment to providing young people with experiences in the performing and visual arts or who have a background in arts education.

4. The Task Force may hire such assistance and incur such expenses as necessary to carry out its purpose, not to exceed the amount raised for this purpose.

5. This Task Force shall meet regularly and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, General Assembly, Board of Regents, and Arts Council Board no lacer than 18 months following the organization of the Task Force.

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately upon the date hereof and shall expire upon the submission of the Task Force's final report.

So Ordered:


Lincoln Almond
Governor