Arts Education Suffering In San Jose Schools

Art programs, such as art appreciation, drama, theater and music, elementary school assemblies have been suffering across the nation for 30 years, as school officials concentrate on the basics of mastering. With federal programs, such as No Child Left Behind, even a lot more focus has been placed on basic learning abilities, which excludes the arts. This also implies that any extra funding is funneled into these fundamental studying programs in order to meet state and federal-set standards. Arts education is one of the standards that must be met by schools inside the state of California, however the state does not impose penalties on schools that do not met these certain 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 complete-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers without sufficient training teaching arts education at the elementary level

Kindergarten via 12 enrollment in music classes declined by 37 percent more than a five-year period, ending final June and

Poor schools have the least access to arts education whereas much better 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 bully programs stellar magnet arts school. He believes that the far more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the much better they will do in testing within other coursework.

Studies have proven that a strong arts program can be linked to improvement in almost everything from math competencies to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools produce skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so numerous other arts-associated careers. The arts also boost the socialization abilities of students.

Bill Eriendson, assistant superintendent of the San Jose schools, stated that the level of funding bullying programs for the arts is inadequate. Final year, the state budgeted $500 million for the arts and physical education even so, this amount was a one particular-time deal. The norm is $105 million, which is about $15 per student. According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools calls for 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 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 decreased funding for arts education. The arts were first 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.