APS leaders outline strategy to expand arts, world language and enrichment offerings

Anyae Payne, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Atlanta Public Schools, told the board the district is pursuing a three-part strategy to expand "beyond-the-core" course access and increase pathway completion in fine arts, world languages and physical education. Payne said the district ensures that "100% of our schools have access to fine arts, world language, and health and PE" at every elementary, middle and high school.

The strategy Payne described centers on ensuring vertical articulation of courses so students can complete pathways from elementary through high school, expanding professional learning for teachers and deepening global initiatives and partnerships. "These offerings increase student achievement, student engagement, and college and career readiness," Payne said, and she cited grants from Save the Music and Music Education Group that have funded music-technology equipment and professional development in several feeder patterns.

The presentation named specific partners and programs: long-standing cultural partnerships with the City of Atlanta, the High Museum and Woodruff Arts Center, work with the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and an APS Global Explorers program that sent 36 students to France and Spain this year. Payne also described two memoranda of understanding with Fukuoka, Japan, supporting an exchange program for Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy.

Board members asked how partnerships are matched to school needs and how the district will sustain programming in a tighter budget environment. Sarah Erickson, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, said some grants require readiness conditions such as a certified music teacher and minimum enrollment, which determines where programs like music technology can launch. Davon Jones, coordinator of health and physical education, explained that varsity participation can translate to PE credit if a student completes three years of varsity sports and that a fine-arts waiver can provide 0.5 PE credit for three years of marching band or dance.

Student representative Dennis Leslie asked how the district will make sure students in the South Atlanta cluster not only enroll in pathway courses but complete them. Dr. Margaret McKenzie, Director of Multilingual Programs and Services, said a pathway is defined by completion of three courses in the same language and noted that APS embeds world language in graduation requirements, while Payne and other staff recommended stronger advisement, counselor coordination and middle-to-high-school planning to maintain student commitment.

Board members requested follow-up data, including district-level breakouts on professional learning participation, clearer descriptions of which schools participate in travel programs and the funding sources supporting cultural experiences. Payne said an appendix to the presentation details course offerings and enrollment by school and that the district will continue to prioritize professional learning, partnerships and student advisement.

The board did not take any formal actions on these programs at the meeting; members directed staff to provide additional data and consider policy steps to standardize advising and schedule development.