The Benefit of Arts Education
Americans have the right to attend public school for free; only a few other countries worldwide share this right. However, no matter how much of a privilege free public school is, there will always be complaints, debates, and politics involved in the education of America’s adolescents. The single biggest factor in the success of a student is his/her socioeconomic status. On average, the more money a students’ family makes, the better that student will perform in school (Rouse & Barrow n.d.). Of course, there are exceptions and outliers to the norm, but time and time again, money is the leading decider in success. Schools in affluent neighborhoods are better supported and better financed than those in lower-income
…show more content…
For example, from the twenty-five thousand students studied, sixty-six percent of all eighth graders (thirty percent from low-income levels) who were highly involved in the arts programs at their school, scored in the top two out of four on their state’s standardized test (Fiske 2012). Scoring in the top two out of four is considered passing or sufficient in nearly every state that institutes standardized testing. Compare the sixty-five percent of all students (thirty percent from low-income levels) who passed, to the forty-two percent (twenty-four percent from low-income levels) not involved in the arts (Fiske 2012). Those findings show that nearly twenty-five percent more eighth graders passed their tests because they were involved in the arts. The findings are even more evident when considering older students. Seventy-three percent of all tenth grade students (forty-one percent from low-income levels) who were involved in the arts passed their tests. In contrast, only forty-five percent of students (twenty-four percent from lower-income levels) who were not involved passed (Fiske 2012). With both the general population and low-income students, the percentage of students who passed their standardized tests nearly doubled. Can school officials really afford to leave a third of their students behind because they need to save …show more content…
Purposeful, arts-centered curriculum planning by the core classroom teachers could produce the same benefits as the arts classes themselves. Schools that wish to be successful should incorporate purposeful curriculum planning, no matter the focus (Larsen & Akmal 2014). Arts integration can provide the same results as the arts programs, but teachers, administrators, and district officials have to work together to create the type of curriculum that would fill the hole the arts programs left behind. In the article 6 Steps Towards Arts Integration, Lorenza Yarnes outlines the six steps schools should take to reach arts integration. These steps include: finding a theme or focus, finding the art, close reading of the artwork, creating an art project for the theme, writing and discussion, reflect and try again (Yanres
In California, the government’s highest priorities are math and reading, which abandons the art education in the dark. The budget cuts in fine art education are displacing Americas’ children socially, emotionally, and academically. When budget cuts force education services to diminish many opportunities for pupils, their learning is often devastated. For instance, a school that is suffering from high budgets and a student who is also suffering with a low-income family needs more attention with their education because they cannot provide equivalent education like other students around the same age.
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.
“Hence you see why “liberal studies” are so called; it is because they are studies worthy of a free- born gentlemen. But there is only one really liberal study – that which gives a man his liberty. It is the study of wisdom”, said Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher who lived during the time of Jesus Christ. Historically speaking, learning liberal arts we learn ourselves to be passionate, loyal, brave and what is more important, generous. The word “freedom” has been the fundamental component of any American Dream. Today we celebrate our nation’s independence and allowance to govern ourselves.
“Man masters nature not by force but by understanding. This is why science has succeeded where magic failed: because it has looked for no spell to cast over nature”. From the beginning of time man and nature has been in conflict with one another because, as a whole, there is no cooperating. Each one tirelessly wants its way. The Man is fighting for dominance and nature w never yielding its authority. In American Literature, many authors illustrate this theme in their writing. Specifically the writers Jack London in The Law Of Life, Stephen Crane The Open Boat and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Fin. Each explores the relationship between humans and nature but with slightly different methods. Mark Twain uses nature in a realistic way, Jack London in a naturalistic way and Stephen Crane constitutes a combination of both.
Kids who come from better living situations tend to do better in school. Meaning that, if you take two students and one came from the projects and the other came from a wealthier neighborhood, the once who lives in the nicer neighborhood statistically will have better results in the classroom. According to Paediatrics and Child Health, “children from low-income families often start school already behind their peers who are
Students who live below the poverty line have less motivation to succeed, and their parents are less inclined to participate in their child’s education, often because the parents cannot provide support for their children. Although it’s logical that school districts from poorer communities cannot collect as much funding as the richer communities, people stuck in these low-income communities often pay higher taxes, and still their school districts cannot accumulate as much money.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Smith, Fran. “Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best.” Edutopia.org. The George
Manzo, Kathleen K. "Districts and Partners Coordinate on Arts Education." Education Week. Gale, 18 June 2008. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
Every day, more and more attempts of banning books and taking away the rights of our First Amendment get violated. The challenging of a book is the attempt to remove or restrict materials, and the banning is the removal of these materials. I believe that books should not be banned for these reasons.
Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is no doubt that a cut in funding for art programs will take a huge toll on students overall grades and test scores. Research has found that the studying of music and art facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances children’s skills in other areas (Brown). Furthermore, providing students with a creative outlet can do great justice in reducing the stress from many other classes and even offer insight for students in possible career paths involving the art field. The art industry today currently supports 4.1 million full-time jobs (Dorfman). By increasing the funding of music and art programs for students preschool through twelfth grade we can see a dramatic increase in the education of children across the United States, assist with skill development in young students, and greatly benefit the economy at the same time.
The arts provide a safe environment for students to express themselves without the worry of ridicule. These kids should have the opportunity to participate in multiple fine arts activities as a way to communicate their feelings in a healthy atmosphere (Weber). Green Lake Elementary School believes its students “acquire a positive learning attitude for a lifetime, celebrate the uniqueness of...
What makes a good person good? According to WikiHow, "We should learn to define our own morals ourselves. One of the simplest ways to do so is to love others, and treat them as you would like to be treated. Try to think of others before yourself. Even doing small things daily will greatly enrich and improve your life, and the lives of others around you." This quote shows us what we need to do in order to be what society thinks as, “good". In order to be a good person, you have to do good and moral things in your society consistently. However people might think that by doing one good thing once in a while will automatically make you a “good person”, but in reality it doesn’t.
“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 is everywhere , every tv show, every ad , and every book is art. That is why it is a vital part in today 's education system, but in the rush to bring ip standardized test scores art programs are being dramatically cut and forgotten about altogether. With the new focus being on Common Core State Standards, which does not include art as a core, schools are having to take away art budgets to focus on cores that are being tested on.
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.