This coming Monday, a report is set to be released by the
New York City comptroller that discloses not so shocking information regarding
the lacking of arts education programs in low-income areas. Much of arts
education is “disproportionately” absent from low-income neighborhoods.
According to NYC Education Department data, “20 percent of public schools lack
any arts teachers, including roughly one out of seven middle and high schools,
even though state law requires arts instruction for middle and high school
students.” Additionally, more than “42 percent of the schools that do not have
state-certified arts teachers are clustered in those areas.” Shockingly enough,
arranging and hiring a certified art teacher to each school that does not have
one would, “cost about $26 million, which represents about a tenth of a penny for every dollar spent by the Education
Department.” It’s interesting to think about how the allocation of scarce
resources/funds can apply to the struggling arts programs across the country.
This article also shines a light on how much students from low-income areas are
predestined to receive a “less than” education based on their location. Music
and art programs have also been proven to stimulate children’s brains in
different ways that can only help other areas of academia. Ultimately, this
severely minimizes the number of opportunities that could be given to students
who are just as deserving as those from higher-income areas. Considering the
capabilities that the Education Department has to change these sad statistics,
I can only hope they do so soon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/nyregion/arts-education-lacking-in-low-income-areas-of-new-york-city-report-says.html?hpw&rref=education
3 comments:
The Education Department finds that the other subjects are more important than the art subjects. The arts are proven to help other areas of education, but they do not seem like a necessity for students to learn. If a school has to cut something, the arts are normally the first to go.
I don't know much about the Education Department's policies/agenda, but I have noticed a concerted effort to boost our nations math and science education.
With the departments budget, I wonder if it's possible to spend the amount necessary on the arts and math/science.
It seems that the policy makers have looked at foreign competition, and decided to invest in increasing human capital. The question is- hows does cutting art budgets effect human capital?
Without art education how are children suppose to be creative and be able to innovate? Art challenges our minds in so many ways that not having it is not letting us fulfill are full potential.
This just shows how our education system needs to be changed to ensure everyone has the same opportunity with public education.
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