A certified/licensed and highly qualified arts educator should have pre service experience in the grade level and content area in which they are pursuing the profession. Certified/Licensed and highly qualified visual art educators should include the items below.

• Have a thorough understanding of the visual arts including history, studio skills, art criticism, aesthetics, and the study of visual art and cultures.

• Have a knowledge of teaching methodologies and how to apply them to the visual arts classroom.

• Have an ongoing understanding of and ability to integrate current and emerging technology into their teaching.

• Understand students as learners, including diverse characteristics, abilities, and learning styles.

• Help students understand the ways in which the arts make meaning, connect with the entire curriculum, and prepare students for success in school, work, and life.

• Pursue ongoing professional development to support their continuous improvement in both teaching and the arts.

All students have a minimum of one 45-50 minute art class per week throughout the school year.

The Association recognizes ratios of personnel to students differ from district to district. For education (teaching and learning experiences) to take place, it is recommended that at the elementary level personnel for visual art education classes should meet the following guidelines:

• Student class size of, at most, 20-25 students.

• At the elementary level, the number of certified art specialists is sufficient to provide art experiences for a total of at least 45 minutes per week per class, throughout the school year.

• At the elementary level, the teacher/pupil ratio in regularly scheduled art experiences is no greater than 1:400-500 students per school.

• All students have a minimum of one art class per week.

• Visual arts educators teach no more than six classes per day and have planning time equal to that of other educators. A minimum of 5 minutes should be scheduled between classes to allow for clean-up and preparation for succeeding classes.

For continuity and sequencing of student learning, instruction in the visual arts is required or at least advised at each grade level.

At the middle school level, the visual art education staff is sufficiently equipped and trained to provide advanced experiences in art at the level of Pre-Advanced Placement courses.

The Association recognizes ratios of personnel to students differ from district to district. For education (teaching and learning experiences) to take place, it is recommended that at the middle school level personnel for visual art education courses should meet the following guidelines:

• Student class size of, at most, 25-30 students.

• At the middle school level, visual art educators teach no more than six classes per day (i.e., art courses may meet daily or biweekly and may meet for multiple class periods per day; they can also meet by semester or by grading period) and have planning time equal to that of other educators. A minimum of 5 minutes should be scheduled between classes to allow for clean-up and preparation for succeeding classes.

• At the middle school level, the teacher/pupil ratio is no greater than 1:180 students per day.

• All students have at least 9 weeks of visual art instruction at each grade level.

In many states and school districts, all students are required to take one course in the arts (including fine and performing arts) in order to meet the high school graduation requirements. To meet this requirement, at minimum, the number of students per course should not exceed 25. Students interested in pursuing higher education in the visual arts often take multiple courses in the visual arts. Schools offering curriculum in a variety of media also need personnel capable of meeting the needs of students as well as the needs of the curriculum.

At the high school level, the visual art education staff is sufficiently equipped and trained to provide advanced experiences in art at the level of Advanced Placement or international Baccalaureate courses.

The Association recognizes ratios of personnel to students differ from district to district. For education (teaching and learning experiences) to take place, it is recommended that at the high school level personnel for visual art education courses should meet the following guidelines:

• Student course size of, at the most, 25 students.

• At the high school level, visual art educators teach no more than six classes per day (i.e., art course may meet daily or biweekly and may meet for multiple class periods per day; they can also meet by semester or by grading period) and have planning time equal to that of other educators.

• Educator to student maximum ratio of 1:180 per day.

• All students are required to take one course in the arts in order to meet the high school graduation requirements (varies per state).

• Schools offering curriculum in a variety of media also need personnel capable of meeting both the needs of students as well as the need of the curriculum.