Arts education is a collective term that denotes learning and instruction in four distinct subject areas: dance, music, theater arts, and visual arts. This handbook suggests what is comprised in the study of the four K-12 arts programs; the frameworks consist of goals in each arts area developed for the K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade levels. In the handbook, the same goals and objectives are further developed so that conceptual, sequential, and student development are readily apparent for each. The addition of "focuses" further expands each objective with accompanying "implications for learning and teaching." The introduction addresses development, purpose, value of the arts, what students should know and be able to do, connections between the framework and National Standards, and arts education matrix. The remainder is divided into Dance K-12, Music K-12, Theatre Arts K-12, and Visual Arts K-12. Each section delineates a purpose, an overview, and program goals; outlines between 8 and 10 goals; and contains a glossary. (BT)