Among the many challenges for arts education presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, one major setback was the suspension of a statewide roll-out of the California Arts Education Framework for Public Schools, Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Arts Framework) that was adopted by the State Board of Education on July 8, 2020. The California County Superintendents Arts Initiative and California County Superintendents CISC Arts Subcommittee, The California Arts Project (TCAP), one of the state Subject Matter Projects, and The California Department of Education (CDE), had spent two years planning the first phase of face-to-face rollouts throughout California. The roll-outs were to be  hosted by County Offices of Education and presented in partnership with TCAP. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was necessary to suspend the roll-out, as previously envisioned. 

Given the suspended framework roll-out plans, the partner organization leaders used the time to consider how to adapt and envision a new approach to the roll-out. As the pandemic conditions unfolded and continued, most professional learning opportunities in the state were shifting to on-line synchronous and asynchronous formats.

Funding provided by the Hewlett Foundation and The California Arts Project provided the Executive Committee the means to convene a ten-member Planning Committee to guide the design of a new plan. A research consultant helped facilitate the planning and data gathering.

Over several months, the committees utilized online surveys and convened numerous small groups for targeted discussions to gather insights and data from California educators and administrators. Subsequently, they worked with the research consultant to analyze and interpret the findings to inform the planning process. The committees also reviewed relevant research related to online teacher professional learning. Recommendations for new approaches to rolling out the Arts Education Framework were developed from this data and the research literature review, which  the Executive Committee then synthesized. 

Ultimately, these efforts resulted in the creation of a three-year plan to adapt and incorporate new virtual synchronous and asynchronous approaches to professional learning about the Arts Education Framework and allow for changing health and safety considerations. 

The plan was put into action in August 2021 and a virtual launch of the Arts Education Framework Resources for Implementation took place on March 1, 2022.