Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Senate adopted legislation authored by Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) last night that would establish awards for schools that include the arts in their regular curriculum.

"The Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Act establishes an award for outstanding arts education programs which will encourage more schools to provide arts courses," Cochran said.

Last year, the Arts Education Partnership, a private, nonprofit coalition of organizations, released a report which identified 91 American school districts with successful arts curriculum programs. Hattiesburg and Starkville were the only Mississippi school districts which were included.

"With the adoption of this new recognition program, I think more Mississippi school districts will take steps to achieve excellence in arts education," Cochran said.

"Many professional studies, including the 1997 National Assessment of Educational Progress Arts Report Card, have reported the relationship of arts education to brain development, student achievement and career potential. They also have shown that arts instruction can improve competency and literacy, lower the likelihood of delinquent behavior, and encourage attendance and achievement of at-risk high school students," Cochran added.