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 understanding. With federal programs, such as No Child Left Behind, even more focus has been placed on fundamental learning capabilities, which excludes the arts. This also indicates 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 must be met by schools within the state of California, yet the state does not impose penalties on schools that do not met these specific 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
Practically 1/three supplied no art education coursework that met state standards
61 percent had no full-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers without sufficient education teaching arts education at bullying programs the elementary level
Kindergarten via 12 enrollment in music anti bullying schools 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 revenue schools (where parents can afford private lessons) are a lot 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 a lot more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the much better they will do in testing within other coursework.
Research have verified that a powerful arts program can be linked to improvement in every little thing from math skills to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools generate skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so several other arts-associated careers. The arts also improve 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. Final year, the state budgeted $500 million for the arts and physical education however, this amount was a 1-time deal. The norm is $105 million, which is about $15 per student. According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools requires about $800,000 to restore just their music programs at the elementary San Jose schools. This figure does not incorporate the acquire of instruments.
San Jose schools are a very good representation of the statewide findings. Besides trying to meet state and federal standards in the basic coursework, the San Jose schools were hit with Proposition 13 that was passed in 1978, which imposed tax cuts for Californians and greatly lowered high school assembly ideas 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, music and visual arts programs offered by his school. Without having the assistance of the Lincoln Foundation, which donated $75,000 for this school year, this San Jose schools arts magnet would not exist.
