The Role of Art Education in Public Schools
Art education is an important part of public education. Through art, a wide range of important skills can be taught to students. Unfortunately, when the school budget needs to be trimmed, the arts are usually the first things to be cut. Art advocates feel strongly that the benefits students receive from art are too great to be overlooked.
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Higher Graduation Rates
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Between 2006 and 2008, the Center for Arts Education in New York City (CAE) conducted a study examining the connection between art education and graduation rates. Their findings showed that the schools with the most access to art education also had the highest graduation rates. The CAE study claimed that the schools that placed in the top third of graduation rates offered students ample opportunity for art education, while the schools that offered their students little or no art education had the greatest dropout rates.
Brain Development
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Art education can play a positive role in brain development. In a 2008 study organized by Michael Gazzaniga, Ph.D. in cooperation with the Dana Consortium, Gazzaniga found that new neural networks were established within the brain whenever children were involved in creating art, music, dance or theatrical performances. The study concluded that arts education caused the brain to focus on specific areas of learning, which improved the overall thinking skills of children.
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Improved Test Scores
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Around the country, many schools have found correlations between involvement in the arts and higher test scores. According to the article "Scores Show Arts Boost Academics," the College Board has found that students who take art classes have higher overall scores than students who do not participate in arts programs. In Colorado, studies showed that showed students who were involved in art classes had higher test scores on state assessments.
Critical Thinking Skills
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Art can improve a child's critical thinking skills in several ways. First, students learn to solve problems using individualized solutions. Secondly, they learn to ask questions and to give answers based upon both factual information and aesthetic opinions. Finally, they use abstract thought to problem solve. Employers need workers who are able to think outside the box. Having advanced critical thinking skills can help students find successful careers after they graduate.
Self Expression
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Art is beneficial to a child's self-esteem. For one reason or another, many children are unsuccessful in the academic content areas. Art classes offer children the opportunity to find ways to express their emotions and personality. Involvement in the arts can motivate students who are otherwise unwilling to learn. A foundation in arts education can teach children how to give and take constructive feedback, which improves their social skills.
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- Photo Credit girl draws a picture pencils image by Petr Gnuskin from Fotolia.com
