Importance of Art in Schools

Music education has many positive effects on students.

Though not required in all schools, arts education is included in many school programs, whether through fine arts, music or drama classes. Research (cited below) has shown that students' involvement in art classes can impact several areas of their life, including cognitive development and social skills. Students in art programs also perform better academically than students who are not exposed to arts education.

Cognitive Development

Exposure to arts education correlates to a child's brain development. According to a 1998 study entitled "Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections," arts education facilitates better memory and symbolic communication in students. Furthermore, arts education can play a "central role" in the development of a child's language, cognitive and motor skills.

Academic Performance

For high school students, the number of years they were involved in arts classes can have a direct impact on their standardized test scores. According to a 2005 report by The College Board, students with one year of arts education scored a 501 on the verbal section and a 515 in math on the SAT. With each additional year of arts education, students scored better in each of the sections, with four-year arts students scoring a 543 for verbal and 541 for math.

Attendance Rates

Students in art programs tend to be more diligent about going to class. The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) reports that, compared with students who were not in arts classes, students who participated in the arts at school were three times more likely to receive an award for attendance. Additionally, a study in Georgia completed by Dr. John Benham revealed that school districts with arts programs had higher retention rates for students in grades 9 through 12.

Life Skills

Arts education can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in life. According to a 2002 from Americans for the Arts, involvement in art classes helps children learn to solve problems, take on responsibility, develop their imagination and build self-confidence and self-discipline. Former governor Mike Huckabee, Chairman of the Education Commission of the States, reported to Education Week in 2005 that art classes also instill in children perseverance, critical analysis skills and creative skills.

Career Opportunities

An education in the arts can lead students toward a successful career in the future. A 2006 report in USA Today stated that jobs in art, music, entertainment and culture will provide twice as many jobs as the engineering field over the next ten years. The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce also reports that technical skills are not the only factor related to earning potential; in fact, high earnings are just as closely linked to an education in the arts.

References

• Americans for the Arts: Fact Sheet About the Benefits of Arts Education for Children
• VH1 Save the Music: Benefits of Music Education
• National Association for Music Education: Facts and Insights on the Benefits of Music Study
• American Alliance for Theatre and Education: The Effects of Theatre Education