1. Anderson Werkman 8th District Court
Case Number: 81372
The Arts in Education: A Nicety or Necessity?
Judge: Natasha Alvarez
Prosecutor: Amanda Bennick
Defendants:
Meg Ahlgrim, Rebecca Budde, & Emilee Anderson

2. BUDGET CUTS
∙ U.S. Economy
∙ Schools
∙ Value of arts

3. OBJECTION 1:
The Arts are too much of a financial
burden on schools
∙ U.S. Economy
∙ Schools
∙ Value of arts
∙ Cutting arts = saving money

4. Cognitive Development

5. Cognitive Development
“…Development of habits of mind
including problem solving, critical and
creative thinking, dealing with ambiguity
and complexity, integration of multiple skill
sets, and working with others; and
[development of social
competencies, including collaboration and
team work skills, social tolerance, and
self-confidence.” (Dwyer)

6. Drama
Reading and
analysis

7. Visual Arts
“Observing, envisioning,
innovating, and reflecting”
(NAEA)

8. Music
Rhythm and speed= reading and
mathematics

9. Dance
Gardner’s multiple intelligences

10. Arts Defeat Economy
Raise ACT scores

11. OBJECTION 2:
The Arts are too subjective to
measure progress
“Performance in the arts cannot be measured. One child
can receive high grades for a painting that is wildly
expressive and another for work that is realistic
judgements on student learning…are at best arbitrary”
(School Superintendent)
∙ Grading
∙ Fairness

12. Creativity, Expression,
Communication

13. Creativity
- The arts allow students to
ask, “what if?” which helps them
expand their creativity.

14. Self-Expression
- Arts allow students to take what
they are feeling and express it in a
tangible way – a
song, dance, scene, or piece of
visual art.

15. Communication
- Arts allow students to take what they
are feeling and express it in a tangible
way – a song, dance, scene, or piece
of visual art.

16. Better creativity
Better Self-expression
Better communication

17. OBJECTION 3:
There is not enough time available
to prioritize the Arts in education
“In the last four or five years the government’s seen how easy it has
been to make schools accountable for maths and English, and
schools often teach up to 60 per cent of their time in those two
areas. That’s two KLAs [Key Learning Areas] out of six! Where’s the
other four? And, by the way, the other four sometimes seem more
difficult because we’re trying to divide them up into these little
boxes.”
∙ Other requirements

18. Overcoming an
Obstacle

19. Overcoming Time
- More time scheduled fo
the arts
- Help students focus
- Less time spent
explaining material

20. Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=u9WSOyPU-
Uk&feature=player_embedded

21. COURT DOCUMENTS (REFERENCES)
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2011.
<http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australian_journal_of_early_childhood/ajec_index_ab
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Bailey, Sally D. "Wings to Fly" Bringing Theatre Arts to Students with Special Needs. Woodbine
House, 1993. Print.
Brehm, Mary, and Charlene Kampfe. Creative Dance Improvisation: Fostering Creative Expression, Group
Cooperation, and Multiple Intelligences., 1997. ERIC. Web. 14 Nov. 2011
Davis, Jessica Hoffmann. Why Our Schools Need the Arts. New York: Teachers College, 2008. Print.
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22. COURT DOCUMENTS (REFERENCES)
Gullatt, D.E. (2008). Enhancing student learning through arts integration: Implications for the profession.
High School Journal. 91, 12-25.
"Learning in a Visual Age." arteducators.org. National Art Education Association, n.d. Web. 11 Nov.
2011. <http://arteducators.org>.
LoParco, M. "Importance of the Visual Arts in Education." The Dryden Art Department. Dryden Schools.
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Manzo, Kathleen Kendedy. (2000). "Classroom Renaissance". Education Week vol. 19. 36-41. Recieved
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Nilges, Lynda M., and Nancy P. Gallavan. "How Can I Make Social Studies Move?" Social Studies & the
Young Learner (1998): 5-8. Print.
Pinciotti, Patricia. "Creative drama and young children: the dramatic learning connection." Arts
Education Policy Review 94.6 (1993): 24+. Academic OneFile. Web. 14 Nov. 2011.
Reishman, Claire D. "Centering In An Age Of Change." Studio Potter 36.1 (2007): 61-63. Art Abstracts
(H.W. Wilson). Web. 14 Nov. 2011.
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