The arts are a crucial aspect of a child's education. Contributing to the improvement in many aspects of academic success as well as growth in a child's cognitive development, it is necessary that children be introduced and educated in the arts. This issue is incredibly prominent more than ever as many public school arts programs are experiencing budget cuts and defunding. According to a report from the Department of Education, public elementary schools that offer government funded dance and theatre programs have dropped from 20% to 3% and 4% respectively. However, the arts are not something to be overlooked. In fact, studies even show an improvement in children's SAT scores when the arts are integrated into academic programs and schooling. Additionally, the arts not only increase SAT scores but student comprehension, overall academic attendance, and graduation rates. It is imperative that we understand the importance of the presence of arts curriculum in order to reach the full extent of our children's education. Here are a few reasons why you should be pushing for more arts representation in your child's school district:
Improvement in growth of mental capacity and cognitive development through arts education
INCREASE IN CRITICAL THINKING AND LITERACY: In a study performed by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, they found that when children participated in their program, (in which they were introduced to art and taught by artists), they performed better in literacy and critical thinking skills through oral communication. The students improved in description, hypothesizing, reasoning, inquiry, and deciphering meaning more than students who were not involved in the program.
INCREASE IN ORAL LITERACY AND SUSPECTED INCREASE IN EMPATHY: In a study done by the Theatre-In-Education program and published by the Early Childhood Research Quarterly, children who were introduced to arts education showed an increase in literacy skills on an oral level. Students involved in this study were able to communicate a story about a specific event to individuals that had no prior knowledge or recollection of said story. The study suspected that arts education would promote a child's perspective-taking abilities, building empathy and allowing them to relate, notice, and respond to other individual's emotional states
Improvement in growth of academic achievement through arts education
IMPROVEMENT IN STUDENT BEHAVIOR: The Missouri School District Arts Council published their findings on students in districts with higher level of participation in arts programs behaving better in school than those with lower participation. These improved behaviors included a higher attendance rate as well as lower disciplinary infractions found with students that went to districts with a higher level of participation in the arts. Disciplinary infractions included acts of violence and infractions requiring out-of-school suspensions.
IMPROVEMENT IN GRADUATION RATES: The Center for Arts Education published findings from their studies based on arts involvement in New York schools. They found that public high schools that ranked in the top third for graduation rates of students in New York City had more certified art teachers, more physical spaces dedicated to the arts, and had students completing three or more arts courses than high schools ranking in the bottom third for graduation rates.
IMPROVEMENT IN SAT SCORES: The Center for Arts Education recorded an increase in SAT scores when there was more student involvement in the arts. The Center for Arts Education stated that "students engaged in arts learning for all four years of high school scored substantially higher on the SAT that students with six months or less training in the arts - 58 points higher on verbal and 38 points higher on math."
INCREASE IN COLLEGE PARTICIPATION: A study released by the National Endowment for the Arts recorded that arts students were 29% more likely to apply to a postsecondary institution, 21% more likely to attend a postsecondary institution two years past high school graduation, received scholarships at the same rates as non-arts students, and were just as likely to pursue STEM majors than non-arts students.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE ACTION IN ENSURING YOUR STUDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO ARTS EDUCATION
Government budget cuts are removing access to arts education in schools as the National Endowment for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Humanities, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services are receiving less funding.
The proposed government budget for 2018 under the Trump Administration aims to remove funding from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as The National Endowment for the Humanities which only make up 0.006% of the $3.9 trillion budget. Instead of protecting, funding, and conserving the arts, the budget proposes a $54 billion increase in government defense spending.
Public elementary schools offering dance and theatre programs have dropped from 20% to 4% with low-income districts suffering the most.
With low-income districts suffering, it is important that we make sure they have fair access to arts education.
Low-income communities in New York that had a greater amount of arts resources experienced a "14% decrease in cases of child abuse and neglect", an "18% increase in kids scoring in the top stratum on English and math exams," and an "18% decrease in the serious crime rate."
With many public schools experiencing defunding of arts programs, it is imperative that we recognize and advocate for arts education in our children’s curriculum. By preserving and fighting for a strong arts presence in public school communities, we are able to ensure our children are receiving the best possible education. It is important to recognize how the arts impact and improve many aspects of academic success and cognitive development. There are many anti-art education advocates that argue against in-class art education due to the presence of after-school arts programs that can serve as a supplement. However, it is important to note, that in removing arts education from public schools and instead relying on out-of-school activities, we are eliminating the presence of free art programs for low-income households. While this may not directly affect you and your child, in supporting the elimination of arts education in schools, you are directly feeding into a growing economic gap. When we take away arts education from schools, we are hurting our entire community of children as low-income households begin suffering. As seen in the research on low-income communities in New York, having access to arts resources results in a more positive way of life; having greater access to the arts results in decreases of child abuse, neglect, and serious crime rates.
While you may not be the parent of a child in a low-income community in New York, it is important to recognize the necessity of art education. Whether you’re from California, Maine, or anywhere in between, you must take action in ensuring your child is receiving some form of art education in their public schools. With the impending government budget cuts and schools focusing more on STEM based curriculum, arts programs within public schools are slowly disappearing. Without these classes, it is possible that your child is missing out not only on a great education that should improve their cognitive development, but also an education that will support their academic performance and achievements.
Talk to your child about their education. Take extra care in reviewing their curriculum in order to ensure that they have access to arts education. Encourage your children to take more classes centered around the arts. Introduce your child to the art community by taking them to museums, reading more books, listening to music and podcasts, and participating in home arts and crafts. Get creative with your art activities! Contact your child's school administration regarding concerns about the presence of art in their education. Reach out, write to, and contact local policymakers regarding your community and school district's art budget.
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