Implementing the Art TEKS presents an opportunity for educators, schools, and districts to rethink how we teach art. Art should be offered in Texas public elementary and middle schools. Texas public high schools must offer two of the four fine arts areas outlined in the TEKS: art, music, theatre, or dance.

The following ideas on building strong art programs are suggested to guide those involved in the process of aligning art curricula with the Art TEKS and redefining the role of art in public education:

• Art classes are designed so that all students demonstrate the Art TEKS and the powerful thinking and problem-solving skills developed in comprehensive art programs. Art classes are not intended to be product-oriented classes only for highly motivated students.
• Art curricula teach the concepts and skills of art. Districts and teachers practicing interdisciplinary instruction should make sure that each discipline retains its integrity as defined by the TEKS.
• Art curricula based on the TEKS promote students’ creative and critical thinking skills. Curricula should lead to instruction that helps students develop initiative, self-confidence, imagination, and originality; curricula that leads to excessive copying deters students from acquiring the knowledge and skills set forth in the Art TEKS.
• The TEKS organize art education into four strands: perception, creative expression/performance, historical/cultural heritage, and response/evaluation. Though courses or units may differ in the amount of time they devote to each strand, curriculum developers should strive to integrate all four strands equally into art programs as a whole.
• Art programs that present knowledge and skills in the sequential, scaffolded order of the TEKS ensure that students have the best opportunity to build the strong thinking, creating, and evaluating skills necessary for achievement in art.