1. Running Head: IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION 1
Importance of the Arts in Public Education
Trent Tyler
Brandman University
2. IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION 2
Introduction
All across the nation art, music, dance, sports, and literature programs are being cut from
school curriculums. The main reason for the cuts are budget constraints, and cutting these
programs is seen as a way to save money. I think that cutting these programs is not an acceptable
way to meet the budget requirements. Involvement in these programs has many benefits for the
development of pre-k to 12 students, and has a positive correlation to higher comprehension of
math, science, and reading. In the following analysis, each program is broken down to discuss
their individual benefits.
Analysis
There are many developmental benefits of art programs. Lynch (n.d.) explains these
benefits in her article “The Importance of Art in Child Development”. Learning how to paint
with a paintbrush or draw with a crayon teaches young children how to use their hands to
eventually be able to write. Art helps with language development by talking about shapes,
colors, and movements, and it helps with the decision making process when creating art work.
Most importantly for school boards is that art improves academic performance. Students that
participate in art regularly are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement,
and to participate in a math and science fair.
“Music permanently wires a young mind for enhanced performance” (Young mind, n.d.,
p.1). Learning how to read, sing, play, or even just listen to music contributes toward literacy
preparation. Also, a university study showed that second graders who took music lessons scored
27 percent higher on math tests than students who did not.
3. IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION 3
Dance helps with not only physical development but also cognitive development, which
helps students think about ideas and solve problems (Standards for dance in early childhood,
n.d., p.1). Dance also helps with emotional maturity and social awareness which transfers to
success when working in groups and relating to others.
Participating in or even just watching sports can help with mathematical concepts, for
example: understanding scoring systems, football yardage, and baseball averages (Rimm, 2009,
p.1). Participating in sports also helps children go after achievements in the classroom, and helps
them keep motivated when they do not achieve the results they wanted.
Reading literature helps students build their vocabularies, as well as improves their
writing skills (Drucker, H., & Patsalides, L., 2012, p.1). Literature in the classroom also helps
with critical thinking, and helps students learn about their own culture and other cultures around
the world.
Conclusion
I think that school boards should find a way to keep art, music, dance, sports, and
literature programs in schools. Not only do these programs have many benefits that can not be
learned from other programs, but they also directly help student’s improve in math, science, and
literacy, which is what school boards are mostly focused on. I agree that the science, technology,
engineering, and math programs are the most important programs for our nations future, but I do
not think that students can achieve their highest level in these areas without supplemental
learning from the arts.
4. IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION 4
References
Lynch, G. (n.d.). The importance of art in child development. PBS Parents. Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/
Advocacy Article. (n.d.). Young mind. Children’s Music Workshop. Retrieved from
http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/youngmind.html
Early Childhood Standards. (n.d.). Standards for dance in early childhood. National Dance
Education Organization. Retrieved from http://www.ndeo.org/content.aspx?
page_id=22&club_id=893257&module_id=55419
Reeves, Robert (2012). Carmel Driver Sentenced to Five Years in Fatal Drunk Driving Accident.
The Reeves Law Group. Retrieved from http://www.robertreeveslaw.com/information-
centerpersonal-injury/how-much-is-my-case-worth/
Rimm, S. (2009). The importance of sports. Family Achievement Clinic. Retrieved from
http://www.sylviarimm.com/article_sports.html
Drucker, H., & Patsalides, L. (2012). The importance of teaching literature. Bright Hub
Education. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-
tips100744-the-importance-of-teaching-literature/