What is the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program?
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program (BTSALP) provides arts-integrated instruction to elementary students, effectively increasing student performance in every subject—from language arts and social studies to math and science. The program is currently in 300 Utah elementary schools in 31 districts (including over 30 charter schools) and is serving approximately 202,800 students.
The BTS Program puts specialists trained in one of four art disciplines (visual art, dance, music and theatre) in elementary schools to work alongside classroom teachers to develop lesson plans for the core curricula that incorporate art. The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) administers the program statewide, and collaborates with deans and university staff from Utah State University, Weber State University, University of Utah, Westminster College, Brigham Young University, Southern Utah University and Dixie State University to provide professional development for the arts specialists and classroom teachers. These higher education institutions also work with the USOE to manage the successful implementation of the BTS Program in their respective areas of the state.