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What about music and art?
Music and art instruction has had a cyclical history in American education. At times, the emphasis on basic skills, literacy, science, and math has pushed music and art off to the side and sometimes even “off the map.” At other times, the perceived need to provide a well-rounded education brings art and music into prominence.
A new survey by the Department of Education showed a clear decline in students’ exposure to the arts over the last decade. Fewer students reported having gone with their class to an art museum, gallery, or exhibit in the last year than was reported a decade ago.
It is difficult to measure student achievement in the arts as we do in basic curriculum subjects. But it is possible to get a sense of students’ appreciation of and enthusiasm for music and art. Many adults voluntarily study and participate in the arts as they grow older. They often lament that music and art wasn’t well represented in their education. That’s our feeling as well. Why wait? Bring music and art into the education of our students right from the beginning, and continue throughout. The arts encourage creativity and appreciation of beauty. These are good things! What do you think?
