The 21st century is now upon us and bringing many social changes as schools are struggling to deal with their budgets and retain teachers and arts programs.
Trouble for arts began in public schools when the passage of California’s Proposition 13 cut local tax revenues for public schools and virtually eliminated arts programs at the elementary level.
Elementary Art and Music teachers lost their jobs because property tax dollars were going to be less for communities to receive. Schools depended on these taxes for school expenses and when they did not have enough money to operate their schools they could not keep music and art teachers. Why, because school boards felt the art classes were not beneficial to the whole child’s educational development. Of course this meant school boards did not have the understanding of the importance of arts education in a child’s whole education. Most of the public did not realize art and music teachers were being eliminated from elementary schools. The irony was – there was more interest in the arts than ever before. The trouble for the arts began over 30 years ago in the public schools and the schools have never really recovered from the loss of tax revenues. Our economy today is forcing school boards to announce elimination of art classes and teachers of the arts in many high schools in California.
Washington legislatures are not supporting the National Arts Endowment programs and Arts Education in Public School Education Programs. The American for the Arts and the California Arts Alliances are working daily to encourage legislatures to support arts education in all of the states.
California and Washington Legislatures need to understand the Harris Poll shows that 93 percent of Americans consider the arts to be vital to providing a well-rounded education for children and a critical link to learning and success. Our elected officials do not recognize that extensive research shows arts education engages students in learning, contributes to higher test scores, reduces truancy and engages students who might otherwise drop out of school. Public schools are mandated by state constitutions to provide a high quality education for all students. Visual and Performing Art Standards are required to be used in all grades by teachers. The arts need support from everyone to be part of a child’s whole education
Jaylene Armstrong is a retired Art Teacher from Madison, Wisconsin, a former National Art Education Association Western Region Vice President and President of Wisconsin Art Education Association. For more information contact Jaylene at 661-255-3050.