Arts Education Suffering In San Jose Schools

Art programs, such as art appreciation, drama, theater and music, have been suffering across the nation for 30 years, as school officials concentrate on the basics of mastering. With federal programs, such as No Kid Left Behind, even anti bullying programs a lot more concentrate has been placed on fundamental understanding capabilities, which excludes the arts. This also means that any added funding is funneled into these standard studying programs in order to meet state and federal-set standards. Arts education is one particular of the standards that should be met by schools inside the state of California, but the state does not impose penalties on schools that do not met these distinct standards.

A statewide survey by SRI International concluded that of the 1,123 schools surveyed:

89 percent failed to meet state standards for arts education

Almost 1/three provided no art education coursework that met state standards

61 percent had no complete-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers with out adequate coaching teaching arts education at the elementary level

Kindergarten through 12 enrollment in music classes declined by 37 percent over a five-year period, ending last June and

Poor schools have the least access to arts education whereas greater income schools (exactly where parents can afford private lessons) are much more apt to have it.

Chris Funk is the San Jose schools principal of Lincoln High School, a stellar magnet arts school. He believes that the more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the far better they will do in testing within other coursework.

Studies have proven that a powerful arts plan can be linked to improvement in everything from math capabilities to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools generate skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so numerous other arts-related careers. The arts also enhance the socialization abilities of students.

Bill Eriendson, assistant superintendent of the San Jose schools, stated that the level of funding for the arts is inadequate. Last year, the state budgeted $500 million for the arts and physical education nevertheless, this quantity was a one particular-time deal. The norm is $105 million, which is about $15 per student. According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools demands about $800,000 to restore just their music programs at the elementary San Jose schools. This figure does not include the acquire of instruments.

San Jose schools are a good representation of the statewide findings. Besides trying to meet state and federal standards in the simple coursework, the San Jose schools had first school assembly been hit with Proposition 13 that was passed in 1978, which imposed tax cuts for Californians and drastically reduced funding for arts education. The arts were 1st cut in the secondary San Jose schools and then in the elementary San Jose schools. By the late 1980s, arts education was all but gone in the San Jose schools.

According to Funk, there at the moment is a waiting list of 225 San Jose schools students. He finds San Jose schools students are drawn to the dance, theater, no school music and visual arts programs offered by his school. Without the support of the Lincoln Foundation, which donated $75,000 for this school year, this San Jose schools arts magnet would not exist.