The landmark 1977 report of the Arts, Education and Americans Panel entitled "Coming to Our Senses," contained recommendations for the future of arts education in the United States. The volume described here, written by a researcher involved in the first study, attempts to show the state of arts education as it was in 1977 and as it is today. The conclusion is that the arts have not gained much new status in U.S. schooling. While the arts have had all kinds of moral and philosophical leadership over the 10 years since 1977, both from professional organizations and state and federal government agencies, there has been minimal action beyond the talking stage. An impassioned plea is offered to recognize the value of the arts, to accord them their deserved place in education, and to see and solve the problems that plague the field. Numerous quotes appear in the margins that both contradict and agree with the viewpoint presented in this book. Many black and white photographs are included. (JB)