Speech

During President George W. Bush’s administration, the “No Child Left Behind” act was passed to “ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education” but in order for schools to get the test scores required by this law, something had to be sacrificed, and that something was the arts. We need to restore the arts in the education system for the arts increase test scores, prolong the health of the brain, enhance communication skills and improve collaboration skills.

With “No Child Left Behind” there were certain benchmarks that schools had to meet for end of the year testing, but the tests are only in Reading and Math. In lower scoring areas, schools resorted to strictly teaching to the test, an example is Sacramento, CA. At Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School the students have sixes classes a day, but all most of them take are math, reading and gym. The only way the kids get to take a music or art class or even science, is if they do well enough on the test the year prior. Though in some instances this has helped improve scores, it has been proved in many studies that the arts lead to better scores on standardized testing. So why would we cut them? In elementary schools in San Diego teachers are integrating the arts into their English lessons, as a result, in the past two years they have seen an average increase of 87 points on their standardized testing. Instead of cutting the arts, we should use them to help students expand their mind along with integrating them into the core classes.

Along with increasing test scores, the arts help the aging of your brain. Just as if you exercise your body is stronger, the more you use your brain, the stronger it gets. Practicing music is a cognitive exercise and helps the brain stay healthy. A study in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience discovered that those who played musical instruments when they were younger experienced less brain loss as the got older. For those who are older and have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, there is an organization called “Meet Me at MoMA” that welcomes these people into the New York City Museum of Modern Art. When the patients are in front of the art they become “powerfully engaged” and though it’s not a cure, they can have some moments of clarity with their husbands, wives and families. We need to make sure that we give students the opportunities at a young age to experience the arts for what better time is there? It also will help them as they mature and progress in life. Just like most things, if they aren’t exposed to the arts now, why should we expect them to be later on?

The whole reason the “Meet Me at MoMA” organization works is that the art connects to the patients and it means something to them. The purpose of art is to communicate a story and if students practice this with music or visual art, they will improve their skills of communication. When students learn to do this with a piece of art it can then be transferred, the more this is done the more it can help these students later on in life. Communication skills help people explain their ideas and get across their point of view. A place this can be very helpful is in the job market, especially regarding interviews. Teaching the students how to communicate now will help them develop their futures.

The last main asset to arts in the schools also helps with jobs, and it is the development of collaboration skills. This skill is mostly gained through the performing arts. In most scenarios, students have to work together as a band, orchestra or cast to accomplish a goal, if someone doesn’t know their part then it hurts the rest of the group. Being in these types of situations teaches kids the importance of doing your part when in a group, while at the same time, listening to other people’s ideas so you can work together towards a final goal. The ability to work with others is a characteristic many employers are interested in, if we can develop this skill set when these students are younger, they will be able to carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

In conclusion, the arts are vital to a student’s education. The arts help improve test scores, brain function, and life skills. Though the arts may be the easiest thing to cut from a logistical stand point, it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. If you care about children’s receiving a high quality education, contact your state legislators and tell them about why you care about the arts. All it takes is us working together and we can help future generations get a chance to grow and express themselves in the arts.