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Rockdale fine arts coordinator: 100% student access to fine arts, pathway completers show strong graduation rates
Summary
Fine arts coordinator Dr. Kirby Ming told the board all Rockdale students have access to fine arts and highlighted pathway completion, graduation-rate metrics, student showcases and upcoming performances; board members asked about funding and enrollment comparisons to pre-pandemic levels.
At the Rockdale County Board of Education work session, fine arts coordinator Dr. Kirby Ming reported that district data show every student has access to fine arts coursework and highlighted measures the district uses to monitor program quality.
“100% of our students have access to fine arts courses,” Dr. Ming said, describing offerings in art, music, theater and dance across elementary, middle and high schools. She told the board elementary students receive fine arts instruction on multi‑day rotations and that both middle and high schools offer expanded pathway options. Dr. Ming said 1,880 middle school students and 2,845 high school students were enrolled in fine arts courses in the current school year.
Dr. Ming said fine arts pathway completers—students who take three consecutive courses in the same fine arts pathway—earn CCRPI points for their schools and graduate at higher rates. She reported that Rockdale County fine arts pathway completers’ graduation rate exceeds the state fine arts completer rate and gave figures during the presentation showing Rockdale pathway completers at 98.05% versus a cited state figure of 97.35% for fine arts pathway completers. She also noted Rockdale awarded 125 fine arts diploma seals last year.
The coordinator reviewed assessment and portfolio work used for performance evaluation, noted recent investments—new band instruments and Title IV–funded professional learning—and listed more than 100 events in which fine arts students participated this year, some involving thousands of students. She highlighted two Rockdale groups selected to perform at the Georgia Music Education Association conference in January and more than 30 students chosen for all‑state chorus auditions.
Board members asked whether funding barriers prevent student participation and how current enrollment compares to pre‑pandemic levels. Dr. Ming said funding remains a challenge but the department prioritizes needs and uses grants and partnerships; she said enrollment has largely returned toward pre‑pandemic levels and that state data will clarify year‑to‑year comparisons when posted.
Ending: Dr. Ming concluded by inviting board members and the public to attend upcoming performances and noting the department will continue to report out program metrics to the board.
