LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal headed for the State Board of Education would set standards for fine arts education in Nebraska.

Backers of the proposal hope its adoption would raise visual and performing arts to the status of core subjects such as math, science and social studies.

The draft will be discussed at a public hearing on Jan. 16, then go to the board for consideration likely in February. If the board approves the standards, they could be made mandatory or be deemed as merely advisory.

The standards would be broad enough that school districts could adapt them to their curriculums and decide how they’d want the material taught.