National Core Arts Standards

The National Core Arts Standards provide a clear framework for what students should learn and achieve in the arts—such as music, dance, theater, and visual arts—at each grade level. They outline skills, knowledge, and expressive abilities students should develop, promoting consistent expectations across schools and districts. The standards focus on four key areas: creating, performing or presenting, responding, and connecting arts to personal and societal contexts. This helps educators design meaningful learning experiences, supports student growth, and ensures arts education is comprehensive, skills-based, and aligned with overall educational goals.