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 mastering. With federal programs, such as No Child Left Behind, even much more focus has been placed on simple studying competencies, which excludes the arts. This also implies that any extra funding is funneled into these simple mastering programs in order to meet state and federal-set standards. Arts education is one of the standards that ought to be met by schools inside the state of California, however the state does not impose penalties on schools that do not met these particular 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 Nearly 1/3 offered no art education coursework that met state standards 61 percent had no full-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers without adequate coaching teaching arts education at the elementary level Kindergarten through 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 (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 much more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the far better they will do in testing within other coursework. Studies have proven that a strong arts program can be linked to improvement in every little thing from math capabilities to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools create skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so a lot of other arts-related careers. The arts also enhance the socialization skills 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 quantity was a a single-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 incorporate the buy 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 tremendously decreased 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 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 offered by his school. Without having the support of the Lincoln Foundation, which donated $75,000 for this school year, this San Jose schools arts magnet would not exist.

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