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 a lot more concentrate has been placed on fundamental studying abilities, which excludes the arts. This also signifies that any extra funding is funneled into these basic mastering programs in order to meet state and federal-set standards. Arts education is a single of the standards that must be met by schools inside the state of California, however the state does not impose school bullying programs 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 school bulling art education coursework that met state standards
61 percent had no full-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers with no adequate coaching teaching arts education at the elementary level
Kindergarten by way of 12 enrollment in music classes declined by 37 percent over a 5-year period, ending last June and
Poor schools have the least access to arts education whereas better income schools (exactly 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 more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the much better they will do in testing inside other coursework.
Studies have proven that a powerful arts system can be linked to improvement in every thing from math skills to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools create skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so many other arts-related careers. The arts also boost the socialization competencies 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 even so, this amount was a one-time deal. The norm is $105 million, which is about $15 per student. According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools needs about $800,000 to restore just their music programs at the elementary San Jose schools. This figure does not include the buy of instruments.
San Jose schools are a great representation of the statewide findings. Besides attempting to meet state and federal standards in the fundamental coursework, the San Jose schools had been hit with Proposition 13 that was passed in 1978, which imposed tax cuts for Californians and tremendously reduced funding for arts education. The arts were initial cut in the secondary San Jose schools and then in the elementary San Jose schools. By the late 1980s, arts no school education was all but gone in the San Jose schools.
According to Funk, there currently 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 provided by his school. With out the help of the Lincoln Foundation, which donated $75,000 for this school year, this San Jose schools arts magnet would not exist.
