Basic Education Program (BEP), passed by the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education in 2009, and put into effect July 1, 2010.

The purpose of the BEP is to establish general guidelines for quality standards and necessary supports for all students to succeed.

Regarding the arts, the BEP states under G-13-1.3 Comprehensive Program of Study:

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   1. Each LEA shall provide a comprehensive program of study in English language arts, mathematics, social studies, the sciences, visual arts & design and the performing arts, engineering and technology, comprehensive health, and world languages throughout the PK -12 system. This program of study shall integrate literacy (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), applied learning, and the use of information and communication technology across all content areas.

In Section G-13-1.3.5 Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts & Design:

(a) A high quality arts education program of study leads to arts literacy for all students and includes dance, music, theatre, and visual arts and design. Students shall be provided with sufficient opportunities to create, perform, and respond in each of their arts courses so as to achieve proficiency. The Rhode Island K?12 Grade Span Expectations in the Arts specify the arts standards for all students.

(b) Each LEA shall ensure that the coherent K?12 curricula for the arts include:

1. Artistic Process: Creative problem solving using the tools, techniques, and technology of one or more art forms in order to make the imagined tangible;
2. Cultural Context: Purpose and motivation fundamental to art?making for all societies; and integration of arts history, analysis, and criticism;
3. Communication: Personal expression, creativity, and meaning through the use of symbols representative of each art form; and sharing of the human experience with image, sound, movement, words, space, time, and/or sequence; and
4. Aesthetic Judgment: Applying knowledge in order to reflect on and evaluate the work of self and others.

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   1. Classes in at least visual arts and design and music shall be available for each student in each grade through the middle level. Curriculum that includes dance and theatre shall adhere to the applicable grade span expectations. A program of study shall exist for all secondary students to enable them to demonstrate proficiency in at least one art form. Additionally, secondary school students shall be provided with the opportunity to do multiple levels of coursework in visual arts and design in both two and three dimensions and in at least one performing arts discipline.

There are other ways that the arts can serve the BEP such as family engagement. To read the entire document, go to the RI Department of Education website:

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