Below is just an overall 'throw-up' of my mind. With all the research and readings I have been doing, it helps to just write out my thoughts...
I may have mentioned this before, I can't seem to remember, but I am working on receiving my Masters Degree at Boston University for Art Education.
There are so many issues & studies being brought to my attention on the future of the Arts in our K-12 schools, it has me concerned. We all know the issues pertaining to our education system here in America: budget cuts, school closings, the letting go of teachers, over crowding of schools, constant curriculum changes, and the many other issues... it is so disheartening.
What is the future of our education system and what is to become of the children caught in the time of constant change and argument until a steady path is reached?
In addition to all these issues, the arts are being removed from our children's education. One of the reasons is that the Arts are perceived as meaningless to (most not all) parents, administrators, and school boards and the importance of the Arts, in terms of child development, is not being articulated to the masses. It is seen as time wasted throughout the school day, where other subjects should take more precedence, but light is not being shed on the many skills achieved when studying the arts like: perception, observation, visualization, conceptualization to name a few. And many of these cognitive skills, which are important in everyday life and work, can not be taught or strengthened from the other liberal subjects the way the Arts can.
Yes, there are advocates and groups fighting and pronouncing that the arts strengthen math and reading scores, but I don't think its enough. We need to provide and showcase more concrete positions for the Arts and what it provides for childhood development besides better test scores, like cognitive skills.
We also need to realize the importance of subject integration. To integrate art into other subjects such as science, history, geography, math, and English can be shown as a benefit to teaching the 'whole' child. These classes can all compliment each other, and if integrated properly with the arts, the student can associate the commonalities between all the subjects and strengthen their approach on how they study and execute problems to all their lessons.
It's a debate that is turning into a huge struggle throughout our country, and the students are loosing out.
What do you think? Is there an importance to seeking art as a standard subject in all schools? Is it a waste of time? Can it coincide with other subjects and provide a balanced learning experience? What is the future of the Arts? Do your local schools support the Arts?
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