There is a huge debate on weather schools should cut out fine arts programs. In an article from Western Mass. administrators argue the idea of keeping fine arts programs in their schools.
According to Benedict J. Smar, a University of Massachusetts Amherst music education professor, "Fine arts are vulnerable to budget cuts partly because children are not tested in music or art under the No Child Left Behind law." Yes, this is true, but some students, regardless if age, need this type of engagement in their day to help them get though it. The one thing that pushes them along is their art or music and taking it away from them is crucial. As a school and corporation, I think you would want to be a well rounded school, not a school that only focus on the basics. More schools are looked at for their diverse education and activities, clubs, organizations, rather than just how high their test scores are in math, reading, and writing. Yes, all of these are important, but in order to focus on these basics, some students need to have that "other" time to unwind.
This brings up the question is the cutting of fine arts more of a personal problem for schools or more political? Personally, I think it is a political problem that is swiping the country. Individual schools are being told what to do and do not have the strength to have input on certain things to keep or not to keep. I think that teachers in the building want to keep these classes and extra curricular things, but it is more of the "head honchos" who want to focus more on the standards part of school. Truly they want the schools to do well, but deep down, all they want is for their schools to look good when it comes to standard time. If their school looks good, then they look good and at the end of the day, that is all they care about.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Schools need to keep their specials programs because they benefit the studnets in numerous ways. I personally believe that this is more of a political battle on the schools part. They are all worried about whether they have the highest test scores or not. They have this mindset however, because the government has put them in this position. I stongly believe that if we had teachers that taught in a manner that the students actually learned rather than memorize everything we wouldn't have a problem with the test scores in the first place. If the government took a little bit of the pressure off of test scores I believe that the teachers would be able to teach better. Taking specials out of schools is not only an issue of money but also so the schools can focus more of their time on preping the students for the standardized tests. I think that by taking out specials it is only harming the students even more.
ReplyDelete