Posted today in Education Week blog, Curriculum Matters by Erik Robelen, June 9, 2011
Earlier I posted the news release about the arts national standards work coalition being formed. This is a blog post update with information to keep yourself informed. Please click here to access the blog post.
President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
Hopefully you’ve heard of The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities research that was released in May. When I was searching for arts education research today I found this White House blog post on the President attending one of the committee meetings. I really like the blog post Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools from May 12th. The writer, Melody Barnes, does a really nice job of including some quotes and historical information about the value of arts education and their rightful place in the school curriculum. Melody is the Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. I pasted a segment of the post below and you can read the entire post by clicking here.
The arts are not just for those who go on to become professional artists. Research shows that girls and boys, young men and women who have art classes are more likely to be engaged in their classes, attend school, achieve better test scores, and graduate. In fact, just last Friday, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities released a stellar report, Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools, which details the powerful role that arts education strategies can play in closing the achievement gap, improving student engagement, and building creativity and nurturing innovative thinking skills.
Education is one of our nation’s most important investments. And an education without the arts is incomplete. As a candidate, when President Obama spoke about remaining competitive in the global economy and the importance of innovation, he said that meant not only teaching our children science and math skills but also encouraging them to think creatively and be rewarded with all that comes with being engaged in creative endeavors: the awareness that comes with self-expression; the sense of strength that comes when you share your authentic voice; and a fresh, innovative perspective on problems of all stripes when you’re using all of your brain. Failure to invest in a well-rounded education for our children will thwart our efforts to lead in a new economy where critical thinking and creativity will be the keys to success.
That means that arts education can’t be an afterthought — an investment that our schools can make only after they’ve solved all the other challenges they face. Instead, we must see it as a tool for keeping students more engaged, for closing achievement gaps and lowering dropout rates. My office, along with the Department of Education, is working with the President’s Committee to take next steps on the report’s recommendations and work with other government, private and philanthropic partners as well to realize a complete and competitive education – from cradle to career – for all children.
You are currently browsing the me arts ed blog archives for the day Sunday, June 26th, 2011.
me arts ed 