The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), as part of their Arts and the Schools Project, surveyed state education agencies (SEAs) to determine policies and practices in relation to arts education in public schools. Art subjects were defined to include creative writing, dance, drama, music, and visual arts. The study focused on: (1) general educational goals; (2) curriculum; (3) testing; (4) graduation requirements; (5) state level funding; (6) instruction; and (7) the influence of current educational developments on arts education. Results indicated that 50 SEAs employ art specialists or allocate a portion of generalists' responsibilities to art education. Thirteen states have written arts education goals, and 43 states distribute curriculum guidelines and supplementary materials for arts instruction to local school districts. Achievement in arts education in 10 states is determined through standardized testing, and 22 states have graduation requirements in the arts. Forty-two states require arts certification for teachers of grades K-12 in two or more arts subjects. An arts education historical review is presented, and a final section focuses on the impact of current educational issues on arts education. Most respondents to the Arts and the Schools Project questionnaire believed that the formulation of new policies at the state level would lead to improved arts instruction. Recommendations include establishing arts education as an essential component of all children's education and encouraging SEAs to include arts in formal education goals. The questionnaire, photographs, and tables are included. (Author/JHP)