based on instruction identified in the California Arts Standards for Public Schools and performance and progress on indicators on the California School Dashboard. “We know that access to arts and STEAM is an important part of closing the achievement gap, and these Exemplary Arts schools put the ‘A’ in ‘STEAM,’” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, in a news release. “Congratulations to these 13 schools for supporting arts and STEAM education, which prepares students to be leaders in the creative economy.” Schools recognized as Exemplary Arts Education Awardees represent a broad cross-section of educational delivery models, including traditional comprehensive elementary schools, magnet schools, and district and independent charters. In addition to meeting the Arts Standards and Dashboard eligibility criteria, to apply to be recognized as an Exemplary Arts Awardee, schools must offer instruction to all students in a minimum of three of the five arts disciplines identified in the Arts Standards: Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.  They must also show one level of improvement for at least one student subgroup in one of the following three areas based on the Dashboard: School Climate, in the area of Suspension Rate; Student Engagement, in the area of Chronic Absenteeism or Graduation Rate; Academic Achievement, in the area of English Language Arts, Mathematics, or College and Career Readiness. The 13 California Exemplary Arts Education Schools will be honored on Feb. 10, 2020, during an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.