From 2009 to 2015, the hit television series Glee highlighted the art programs in schools, revealing the personal and emotional support given to members of the school’s Glee club. And, while this was a fictional show for entertainment, it touched on so many important issues in the school programs, and how the arts can truly make or break a student. From social issues like race, sexuality, and bullying to the stories of unlikely friendships and love, the show connected with so many high schoolers, minus the breaking out in song part.
As children, our source of entertainment was art. iPads and smartphones were not a key piece of our childhood, coloring books were; crayons and paintings and music were. These very basic forms of art gave children, teenagers, and adults alike a sense of self-expression and an outlet from the world around them. Painting and coloring pictures or singing or playing an instrument is a sense of therapy. For some, it might be a hobby. For others, it is a passion and a career path.
Unfortunately, with recent budget cuts in the public education system, and the lack of funding in public schools, many arts programs around the country have been cut. Studies have shown that art education can have a powerful influence on children in most areas of learning, from critical thinking to math to confidence within themselves. The Washington Post recently wrote an article about why all people, parents included, should care about the arts. An assistant research professor at the University of Missouri expressed how the arts can give students who struggle academically, or athletically, a place to shine. He explained how scientific studies show the students involved in high school arts programs are more likely to graduate high school and proceed to get a college degree. In addition, the arts have proved to increase acceptance and tolerance socially. The arts do not care about race, or religion, or sexual orientation and they take away usual teenage stereotypes (Smits).
The NEA, The Nation Education Association, is a government agency formed to give all students the right and opportunity to engage in the arts programs in schools. This federal organization supports thousands of programs with only about 0.003 percent of the federal budget. However, this program, along with many others, are in jeopardy of being cut due the President Trump’s budget proposal. The proposal eliminates the NEA all together, which would make an already large issue even worse (Smit).
In some New York schools, the arts programs are under a serious threat. Between 2002 and 2013, 69 high schools were closed in New York City and reopened as smaller, new schools. The schools can now academically serve their students better with more teacher to student personalization, but the specialized programs in these schools have been severely jeopardized. These schools do not have the resources for programs such as advanced classes, athletic programs, or art or music classes. One school is focused on the arts because they especially benefit low-income and disadvantaged students. A 2012 analysis of studies showed that eighth graders who had involvement in the arts programs had higher test scores and high school students who earned a substantial number of arts credits had a higher GPA and were more likely to graduate than their counterparts (Bloch and Taylor). However, most of the schools do not have funding for these programs. These schools rely mostly on community groups to provide part-time music instruction. During the early 2000’s, with the No Child Left Behind legislation put into action, federal pressure shifted focus to improving scores in math and reading, leaving art and music behind (Bloch and Taylor).
There has been trouble in the past with art education and recognizing the value of it, but in the coming age, with research, school districts are allocating funds to schools in order to include these programs. Despite President Trump’s efforts to suppress the funding for art programs in education, most schools continue to advocate to include these programs. The studies about arts in education show astounding positive effects on students. A study by The Michigan Art Education Association published a report to prove these ideas. It showed that low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate college. Students involved in the arts are 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair, are 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance and are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement. Students with educations rich in art have earned higher grade point averages and scored significantly higher on the SAT. And there are so many more facts and proof of this.
While Glee might just be a television show, it truly shows the effects of art education in schools and how important it is to include these programs. From art to music and everything in between, these programs help students socially, emotionally, and academically. It would be detrimental to students and schools everywhere to eliminate the arts, which is why people continue to fight every day for funding and support.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2017/07/28/why-all-parents-should-care-about-arts-education/?utm_term=.98da95e453e0
https://www.miarted.org/pdf/AFTA-Arts-Education-Navigator-Facts-Figures.pdf