Arts in Public Schools
All around the United States, art programs are being cut out of the budget in public schools. The arts include dance, band, chorus, theatre, film, drawing, painting, photography and literary arts. Some school board members feel these art programs are not necessary and do not benefit the students in any way. Elementary, middle, and high school students are forced to quit their passion and feel that their talents are not supported by their schools. Although many are not aware, there is a strong connection between arts education and academic achievement. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in many public schools, the art classes are first on the list to be cut. It is important that the students, parents and teachers fight for their desire to keep the arts in public schools. Art programs in public schools are essential to the development of young minds; therefore the school boards should enhance and improve the programs and should not cut funding or force a class to be discontinued.
There are many positive aspects associated with the arts and it is important people are aware of these benefits. According to Smithrim and Opitis, “reported benefits of the arts include the development of the imagination (Greene, 1995), greater motivation to learn (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), increased student creativity, lower dropout rates, and increased social skills (Catterall, 1998; Luftig, 1995)” (110). These advantages can possibly set a student up for am extremely successful life. They should be embraced and utilized as opposed to overlooked and unmentioned.
It is proven that girls and boys that have taken or are taking classes within the art department have a higher success rate in their core academic classes. According to “...
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One thing that many people do not appreciate is how beneficial fine arts can be to academic success. All fine arts ...
In sum, cutting arts programs poses concerns on local and national levels. The inequity in education, epitomized by the disturbing revolving door of arts teachers in Detroit, is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. It is imperative that citizens engage individually and collectively through different participation mediums in order to reverse the trend regarding arts programs.
Many schools consider art, music, and physical education programs ‘fluff’ classes, which is why when schools are looking for a place to save money those are some of the programs that are first to go. Claire Suggs, Senior Education Policy Analysts for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, found that “about 42 percent of districts are reducing or eliminating art or music programs and 62 percent are eliminating elective courses” (“Cutting Class” #1). Art and music programs should not be cut because they allow students to explore their creativity and improve problem solving skills. On the
Jay, P. (2007). Introduction to the special issue on the single best idea for improving k-12 education. Journal of Education 82(4): 549-550.
Smith, Fran. “Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best.” Edutopia.org. The George
“Every student in the nation should have an education in the arts.” This is the opening statement of “The Value and Quality of Arts Education: A Statement of Principles,” a document from the nation’s ten most important educational organizations. The basic message is that music and art programs in the schools help our kids and communities in real and substantial ways. There is an abundant amount of facts and information that supports this statement. The benefits of arts education can be narrowed down into 4 basic categories: success in developing intelligence, success in ...
Art can be used to raise scores in every subject, “Students who took four years of art classes scored 91 points higher on their SAT exams than those who took half a year or less. Multiple studies also confirmed that there is a correlation between art engagement and students’ other achievements.” (Valeriya Metla) Even with the research linking art and better grades some educators think that it is more worth while to only focus on the core classes because it is more important to fund what is being tested than to help raise children who are creative.
Art Education is not always valued in school settings. Although some may see it as an unnecessary use of school funding, there are many who believe it is beneficial to students in more ways than one. There are many different studies that have been conducted to test the effects that art education has on school-aged children. Some studies have proven that art education can help students to improve in other academic areas. In a journal article from Ohio State University’s “Theory in Practice,” Karen A Hamblen states, “There are linkages between art learning and learning in other subjects areas and that art study can promote creative behaviors, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement.” It has also been found that the arts can teach children better self-regulatory strategies, and even foster more confidence and self-efficacy in school which relates to confidence in academics. Overall, art education in schools has been very beneficial and has proven to ignite creativity, confidence, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement in students.
The arts are not only a nice way to pass time; the arts can greatly help with education. Schools in the United States have encouraged children to have an outlet and if the outlet is not sports, most kids take some kind of art class. According to Velasco (2012), a child development specialist, certain students who have taken at least one art credit every year since the start of third grade were more likely to comprehend math and literature easier; for example, counting the beats in every stanza of music or learning the history and background of song lyrics. Velasco also states that students scored 1.5 times better in standardized tests, than kids who did not take an art credit. By helping schools fund art programs, the skills learned by students taking these classes can ultimately help schools excel in academic achievements, and they can aid students to a brighter future.
According to bright hub education; “Children who are offered a well-rounded education receive incredible benefits from the arts being included in their education.” Children who learn a lot of subjects including art become more educated and more connection to the world with more interests and skills than children who were exposed to a certain number of study. The more we implement the art in the school children be more succeed in their academic school. How I had mentioned children benefits more when school has the opportunity to involve the art program in their school for all the
Cato, T. (2001, January1). Reasons to support art education. Retrieved September 18th, 2002 from http://www.gaea.armstrong.edu/. Promotes the teaching of art education in Georgia. Calls for research into art education to show its benefits and advantages.
"Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best." Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014.
Firstly, it enhances students creativity by allowing them to make a self-expression. In most art programms, students are asked to create a painting that represents memory or compose a new rhythm for a piece of music. When students are taught to think creatively, it helps them in their future career. Secondly, the arts improve academic performance, students who are regularly participate in the arts does better in their academic achievement. Thirdly, it develops the students fine motor skills when they hold an instrument such as a paintbrush or oil pastel. Fourthly, while mastering a subject, students build self-confidence. Fifthly, the arts help students to develop their visual-spatial skills. Students need to know more about their sorroundings through visual than just what they can learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students to appreciate, criticize or interpret by using the visual information. Sixthly, the arts strengthens problem solving and critical thinking skills by allowing the students to make choices and decisions. This is certainly allows them to carry over into their education and other parts of life—as this is surely a valuable skill in their adulthood. Seventhly, perseverance whereby the students will be asked to develop new skills and work through difficult projects during the career. Eightly, focus whereby when students persevere through painting, singing or learning in a play, focus is
“Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life” (Picasso). These words about the fine arts describe not only life in general, but also apply to everyday life of public school students. Many students need something to divert their attention away from jaded academics that cause them stress and mental deterioration. Fine arts are the solution to that problem; unlike academics and athletics, they provide an outlet for students to be creative and discover their talents without the pressure other courses produce. Additionally, the arts stimulate the brain, and generally promote positive brain activity and development in teenagers. So, if fine arts positively affect students, then why are they so