School Art Programs: Should They Be Saved?

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

To begin with, education and engagement in fine art programs are an essential part within the school curriculum because subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts all require cognitive and creative capacities which are enhanced with the process of learning art. For instance, in the article, Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefits Student Achievement, it states that “researchers

Art programs in schools across the nation are in danger of being diminished due to budget cuts and lack of funding. Due to budget cuts, “... schools have been relying more on private funds and patrons of the arts to provide creative outlets for students” (Hambek). Because art is deemed as less important than other core classes, budget cuts that have been put into place almost automatically go straight to cutting funds for art

“Funds have been cut in more than 80 percent of U.S. school districts since 2008. The very first programs to go are often disciplines such as music, art and foreign language.” This is a shocking amount of fine art programs that are being cut out of the schools in America. It is often argued that fine art programs should be eliminated because of ‘inappropriate’ content in some plays, people believe that artists are more involved in scandals, and believe musicians are more likely to get involved with gambling and are more likely to be unreliable. Nevertheless fine art programs in schools should continue to be funded in schools because all fine art programs come with their own benefits both inside and outside of the classroom that will help kids become better people in their lives. The ways that these fine art programs can help students are shown through three fine art programs drama, art, and musical education because all of these have positive effects that can help children grow and learn.

“Students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance” ("11 Facts about Arts in Education"). Music and art are clearly not two subjects that schools today can afford to cut off funding for based on this evidence. Music and art programs are responsible for increasing school attendance, which can lead to being one of the most important things in a student’s academic success in school. Students have to attend school and be present in order to attain the information from their classes and teachers if they wish to succeed. Better attendance means more students are in class, which means more students are getting the information they need to excel from their teachers, which ultimately means better grades and test scores for schools. As of today, arts are defined as core subjects in only twenty-six states in America (Mandel). If only twenty-six states are treating art education as a core subject, that means that twenty-four states are currently neglecting art programs and not considering them important to their student’s education. If more states are educated on the importance of art programs for young students, and the arts are defined as core subjects nationally, then there will be a

Fine arts in schools have been debated for years. While many programs still exist, children are told that their fine arts education will not help them in school, or in life. This is false under all circumstances, as with the right teacher and motivation, a student can grow a passion for the arts. Though studies are still being conducted, there is great evidence that the fine arts are beneficial in the overall education of a student, as well as the world as a whole. Art programs should be kept in schools because of their amazing impact on the academic and personal lives of those who connect to it.

Approximately 20 years ago global studies comparing student test scores in the core subjects showed that American students were not performing as well as students in many other countries and that this performance appeared to be worsening. As a result, the federal government became more involved and forced schools to adopt a new set of standards that emphasized the core subjects. Unfortunately, this initiative often led schools to limit or discontinue arts education. Programs and laws such as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, Common Core, and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) have, while trying to improve our students performance, caused another problem. Many studies show that students who participate in arts education have better observation skills, comprehension, better attention to detail, improved social skills, are less likely to be depressed, etc. this is why the lack of education in the arts is doing a disservice to our nation 's students.

Budgets cuts are being made to music and art classes in schools across the country. While they are among the most expensive programs for a school to maintain, parents and communities are finding themselves concerned about the declining exposure to the arts. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of elementary schools offering performing arts has dropped over 60% since 2008. The argument can be made that large amounts of money are saved by terminating art programs, but art programs have been shown to have positive impacts on student learning, with some of the most impressive improvements being made outside of art class. Are the experiences art classes provide worth the money?

Instead of cutting the art budget to where art programs and teachers will slowly not be a part of the school courses offered, school systems need to be proactive and innovative and use the arts to help students learn and enjoy learning in other classes. Using different aspects of art such as drawing and acting can be outstanding ways for memorizing and studying for the core classes that the school systems desperately try to have their students focus on. School systems and parents are oblivious to the fact that art programs are more than just a time for a student to relax and not focus on math, science, or English. Art programs are enriching and lead to a development in retention, individualized thinking, and can be used as a stress relieving hobby. Not only will it help students while attending school, but it will give them habits to retain information better while also having a fun and relaxing hobby. With the increase in technology and everything becoming technologically based America is becoming oblivious to the dramatic impact the arts have made in shaping society today. By not opening students up to the different aspects of the arts you are leaving those to be closed minded and teaching the philosophy to focus on standardized testing, good grades, and inside the box thinking. This nation was founded on out of the box thinkers and innovators. Do not let the arts dwindle in the American school system. It is receiving extremely effective results in the areas where it is being offered and is being cared for. Think about everything in this country that would not be possible without artist drawing, acting, or playing it for all of us to hear or see. Without the introduction into the arts none of this would ever be. Something as simple as the beautiful red, white, and blue flag pledged to every day would not be here without an artist. The arts is too

Supporters argue that art classes teach the very qualities that educators believe can reinvigorate American schools: analytical thinking, teamwork, motivation, and self-discipline. “Art education improves overall academic performance of students, including the common core academic subjects. 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.” The report conducted by the Center for Arts Education noted that schools with a solid arts program had higher graduation rates. The report analyzed data collected by New York City Education Department from more than 200 schools over two years, reported that schools ranked in the top third by graduation rates offered students the most access to arts education and resources. While schools in the bottom third offered the least access and fewest resources. Schools in the top third typically hired forty percent more certified arts teachers and offered forty percent more classrooms dedicated to course work in the arts than bottom-ranked schools. The full report is at caenyc.org. California State University study found a link between art and literacy. “The people who were art majors had the highest reading scores.” An art major can ask provocative questions, can challenge their own beliefs, point of view, engage in intellectual discussions, generate hypotheses, familiar with discipline's vocabulary,

Having arts in school helps students with learning and decrease the dropout rate. The article states, “Washington said the arts classes taught her about collaborate with others. They also helped her learn to be responsible and to think outside the box.” Arts in school can help students figure out patterns and think by using multiple perspectives. The article provides these quotes, “‘It's not that the arts are something to put on in the final period of the day once all the 'real work' is done,’ Washington said. ‘Arts are actually how we can help them get the 'real work' done.’” Art in school also provides a way to improve the understanding of core subjects in school. Another quote says, “Gubitz said the arts are an ‘accelerator’ for improvements

No one will never know what music is to this child simply because art programs have been erased from schools, all due to budgeting issues. Concerts, art shows, and televised programs gone, just like dust in the wind. The loss of arts in the schools not only negatively affects the employees and teachers, but also hurts the development of children, as well as young adults. It hurts their creative side as well as other important aspects in their lives. Even though costs a lot of money to fund these programs and many think these programs are unimportant, Artistic influences are very important to child development and should be encouraged in schools. There have been studies that show that children

School is essential to the lives of everyone, how well they do in those thirteen years dictates the kind of future someone will have; the job they get, the family they raise. A key part of school is test-taking, and many students struggle with this critical aspect. When students are involved in a fine arts program, however, they are seen to obtain higher test scores than those who are not a part of those electives. This is not just limited to math tests or science quizzes, “Students who took four years of art classes scored 91 points higher on their SAT exams”, which means those four years of belting out songs or weaving beautiful music were worth something--their future (Metla). Higher SAT scores mean a brighter future, with more chances of success. The arts improve graduation rates in schools and those students in those programs are “four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievements” (11 Facts About Arts in Education). Numerous studies have been done over the years, highlighting all the ways the arts can benefit a student academically, whether it is from lowering the dropout rate, or by raising standardized test scores, the answer is obvious; the arts significantly improve the success rate or students

Art education has been proven to help with “cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills” as well as “motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork” (Smith). Having the ability and patience to sit down and paint a masterpiece or work through a song on the piano requires high focus and dedication. Students willing to do this will in turn have stronger skills to focus and be dedicated in other subjects. The mixture of all these abilities gained from participation in art programs lead to higher test scores and overall better performance in school. Still, these are only a few of the assets provided by art education.

Schools that offer fine arts classes have lower dropout rates and raised attendance. The fine arts positively impact students of lower socioeconomic status more those of a higher  status. The fine arts have no barriers for race, religion, and culture when it comes to being involved in the arts. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to be involved (Katy Independent School District). Without the arts these students have no outlet for creative capabilities and no way to express their talents. Students who need this way of expressing themselves are overlooked and they are the ones who need it the most (Dickson). When viewing the participation of arts in the eyes of a ten-year old, “It cools kids down after all the other hard stuff they have to think about” (Arts and Smarts: Test Scores and Cognitive Development).