Have parents given up on the arts in public schools? Is it a factor in state superintendent’s race?
Have parents become so jaded over school budget cuts that they are resigned to fewer and fewer arts programs?
I received the e-mail below on state school superintendent candidate Beth Farokhi’s arts platform. I found it interesting because there has been very little discussion of arts education in this election season.
I think most parents assume unhappily that there just isn’t money for the arts any longer. With the exception of the outcry in Fulton over the loss of elementary school orchestra and band, I have not seen much protest of arts program cuts elsewhere. When systems are talking about slicing weeks from the class calendar, I assume parents aren’t going to take to the streets over whether there is chorus or drama.
In the few superintendent candidate debates, the arts never came up in a substantive way. I do think arts programs are important, especially in low-income areas where parents can’t afford to send their children to private music lessons or drama camp.
But why aren’t we talking about it more?
This e-mail is from singer/songwriter Elise Witt, who often conducts musical workshops/performances in schools. This is an excerpt from her e-mail on behalf of Dr. Farokhi:
Dear Friends of Arts Education:
In less than a week, next Tuesday, July 20th, to be exact, you will be making a very important decision. A decision that will deeply impact our children and every student in the state of Georgia. You will be voting for the next State School Superintendent. There are a few good candidates running, and they have the credentials and experience for the office, but only one has a public platform on arts education – Beth Farokhi.Over the years, we have fought to keep arts education in our schools – two years ago we fought to keep the arts as a part of the graduation requirements. We continue, even today, our efforts to have an arts education specialist at the Georgia Department of Education. I think it important to note that this position has been vacant for over a decade, during which we have experienced a steady decline in arts education, in our schools. It reminds me of the saying – if you are not at the table, you are on the table.
We, as parents and educators, understand the great importance that arts play in the development of the whole child.
Now we have a candidate who believes as we do, and who has made a public stand for arts education. Her name is Beth Farokhi. Visit Beth’s website and read her platform on arts education.
Now, you must do your due diligence, in finding a candidate that fits your educational philosophy. I hope that you will find, as I have, that Beth fits your beliefs as well.
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123 comments Add your comment
Lynn43
July 16th, 2010
1:48 am
I have already voted and chose Beth. I did not know her platform on the Arts, but, as a Board member, I voted for her for other reasons. Being a retired music teacher, I now know I chose the right candidate.
EducationCEO
July 16th, 2010
2:49 am
Parents have not given up, but some of have realized that certain districts are not open to any programs that could possibly improve the academic outcomes for kids from underrepresented groups. You all know to which districts I am referring. As long as districts can spend money at their will, without accountability, then they can cut whatever programs they want to make room for others. I wonder what would happen if they announced they will cut football programs next year? All you-know-what would break loose…the idea would be squashed immediately. There is research that proves music education improves the ability to comprehend higher-level mathematical concepts and reading. But aside from those benefits, arts exposure develops well-rounded students with a greater appreciation for things that are outside their traditional activities. But I guess those benefits must be reserved for a certain few.
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Concerned
July 16th, 2010
5:34 am
Enter your comments here
HS Teacher
July 16th, 2010
5:44 am
First, let me state that as a k-12 student, I had a great music education and played in every band there was – jazz, concert, marching, etc. I did gain a great deal from that education and wish everyone had that opportunity.
However, when the belt must be tightened, I do realize that the basic education include the ‘core’ courses of math, science, English, and social studies. Those are the subjects that are the foundation of education.
I think that the other areas such as the arts, foreign languages (or world languages), etc., should be cut equally only when cuts are required. In other words, I feel it unfair to cut out one of these other areas with no impact on the another. Why would the art department be more or less important than languages?
No politican will ever make a comment on this topic of cutting arts. No matter what they might say, they will offend one or more groups. They will nod in agreement that the arts are important and it is great to have one – that is all they’ll say.
drew (former teacher)
July 16th, 2010
5:56 am
I agree that the arts are an important component of a rounded education, but the sad fact is, if it’s not on “the test”, it takes a backseat to everything that IS on “the test”.
Nowadays in education, testing is the tail that wags the dog. If it can’t be tested, it simply isn’t important. Even science and social studies have taken a hit, since math and reading are the two big dogs in testing. The last year I taught (middle school), students spent twice as much time in math and reading as they did in social studies and science.
It’s all about the test, stupid! If it’s not tested, it’s not worthy. Let’s not fool ourselves…it’s not even about “education” anymore…it’s all about test scores.
Concerned
July 16th, 2010
5:59 am
The fight for the Arts has just not been publicized. It was such a bitter one at the high school level in APS with the change to small schools and small communities. Many formerly large high schools with dynamic bands and A-1 chorus programs found themselves struggling as only certain high schools could keep the Arts. Highly intelligent students are attracted to the Arts. There was an outright battle between the alumni of Frederick Douglass and the former principal and Dr. Hall to keep a strong arts program at the school. That small learning community was taken away and the school has been suffering since. They don’t forget downtown. The last two persons associated with running the Fine and Performing Arts Small Learning Community were just transferred.
There just wasn’t enough coverage by the news media of the attack on the Arts at Douglass and Washington High. There just wasn’t any coverage when the schools were under seige. Some of us fought hard and we still sport deep battle scars. But it is always worth it when you are saving children. Ask Councilman Bond. He saved Douglass from utter destruction with the help of strong alumni and parents. A corrupt principal was exposed and the administration is retaliating against a teacher involved. A full case is being prepared now for Professional Standards as more teachers are now willing to step forward. It all started with trying to save the Arts.
Peter Smagorinsky
July 16th, 2010
6:08 am
The Athens Banner-Herald reports this morning that “To fund schools, voters willing to pay” which is the only solution to restoring arts education and much else.
“Georgians may be jittery about their jobs and the economy, but many of them are willing to pay more to fund schools, according to a new poll conducted for the Georgia Newspaper Partnership. Half of the respondents to a poll of 625 registered voters, conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., said they would pay higher taxes or fees to restore education spending cuts that have led to teacher furloughs and layoffs the past few years.”
The story continues at http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/071610/new_676371285.shtml
A TRADITIONALIST
July 16th, 2010
6:13 am
Ms. D…….YOU PREPARE A CHILD FOR THE WORLD OF 2010….teaching the basics of READING…..WRITING…& MATH…throw in SCIENCE…Give the child a foundation..For crying out loud..
A TRADITIONALIST
July 16th, 2010
6:15 am
ART COURSES are a luxury in this economy…few public schools can afford..PERIOD….END OF DISCUSSION…liberals…….get real in the world of reality..
Humanities 101
July 16th, 2010
6:32 am
So has our existence been reduced to preparing for Math and Reading tests? “To be or not to be?”. That is still the question.
Karl Marx
July 16th, 2010
6:54 am
You can’t have arts in school. The state has to fund things like the Arts Council, 2.9 million dollar luxury spas, and hundreds of other unnecessary items. Vote these bozos out of office.
Poor and may be out-of-work visual art teacher
July 16th, 2010
7:06 am
I’m certain we won’t change A Traditionalist’s mind, but for the rest of us, we understand how the Arts can challenge a student to reach beyond the classroom and beyond the text. Critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, flexibility and adaptability, initiative, self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity, accountability, leadership, responsibility, and literacy in information, media, communication and technology are the skills that employers are seeking in “the world of 2010.” These cannot be taught with just the Three Rs. As Mr. Holland said, “Once you get rid of the Arts, there won’t be anything to read and write about.” By the way, Mr. Traditionalist, please look at the CRCT scores in DeKalb County. The highest scores are from the students at the DeKalb School of the Arts.
Former Teacher
July 16th, 2010
7:18 am
Art and music won’t evaporate. We will find other ways to work it in. Perhaps we will pay less and get more…
Brian Westlake
July 16th, 2010
7:22 am
Here is an email exchange I had with someone about the arts. I included concrete programs that can be adopted here in Georgia–not the vague “we need to include the arts” statements that my opponents have been making. Let others know that we also need someone who can win in November, and I am the only current teacher on the ballot and the only one gaining momentum in the polls (in spite of having fewer resources and the existence of a clear bias in favor of more “establishment” candidates). This is because I am serious about empowering teachers, parents, and students in policy making, and this is how we will truly restore the arts to public schools. It will take raw political power to send a strong message to politicians that we want education to be a top priority–we do not get there by electing the “usual suspects” who advocate a top-down model of reform.
The email exchange is below.
The arts are extremely important in the education of a child and should be considered core subjects–not something extra that can be discarded when budgets get tight. In the short term, I think that we will need to leverage public money to bring in private dollars to help support the arts in schools, but I am committed to keeping and expanding arts education in the schools. I will be tireless in my efforts to think outside the box to secure support for the arts, and I think there are some great models in other places that we can bring here to Georgia.
I have included links to just a couple of the efforts that are working elsewhere that I would like to see transplanted here. The first is Opening Minds through the Arts in Arizona. The second is El Sistema USA for which Gustavo Dudamel–the 29yr Music Director of the LA Philharmonic–is a great ambassador. I have also included a link to the 60mins episode about Dudamel and El Sistema.
http://www.omaproject.org/
http://elsistemausa.org/
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6490130n&tag=related;photovideo
I hope this gives you an idea about my passion for supporting the arts in public schools. Feel free to call me with any other questions you may have.
Thank you for contacting me with your questions.
Regards,
Brian
Brian Westlake
http://www.brianwestlake.com
Humanities 101
July 16th, 2010
7:38 am
Trivia Question: What did former Federal Reserve Chairman excel at before becoming one of the premier economists on earth?
Humanities 101
July 16th, 2010
7:40 am
Alan Greenspan not Bernanke! What did Greenspan excel at?
A little DSA perspective
July 16th, 2010
7:41 am
Please remember that DSA gets to choose their students and if their students don’t keep up their grades, they are asked to leave.
Huh?
July 16th, 2010
7:52 am
To “A Traditionalist”
First, to call a supporter of arts in public schools a liberal, tells me you know not from where you are talking. Art is not something that is embraced by only one philosophy of politics.It may do you some good, if you are truly against arts in school, to do some historical research. Try names like Dewey, and eras like 1750 to present, to really discover how “traditional” art is in schools. I think the name “A Traditionalist” might not be so fitting for you. Art is a traditional school subject.
South Metro Teacher
July 16th, 2010
7:55 am
“Drew” and “…..Visual Arts” said it all…..perfect!
Person
July 16th, 2010
7:57 am
TRADITIONALIST-
Why would we want to prepare kids for the world of 2010? We’re preparing kids for the future, which we have no clue about. Only focusing on your foundation – reading, writing, math, science, etc – is preparing our students for jobs where they are a just a cog in a machine, and those jobs are being outsourced or automated. We need to teach them how to think, create and lead.
Sk8ing Momma
July 16th, 2010
7:57 am
…Another reason I’m SO thankful that I homeschool! The performing and visual arts are alive and well in my home education program. There are MANY awesome fine arts resources available to homeschoolers in the metro Atlanta area…Thankfully, there is a population of educators and parents that actively supports and recognizes the importance of the arts.
Humanities 101
July 16th, 2010
8:01 am
Ok. Give up. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was a musician and a very intelligent one. Bonus Points: Where did he study?
Person
July 16th, 2010
8:02 am
Clarinet – Julliard
AJinCobb
July 16th, 2010
8:03 am
In Cobb, I think the stakeholders’ survey this spring showed very strong parental support for arts and as far as I know, this area was not singled out for any special budget cuts. (We seem to have lost a lot of math and science teachers instead!) The comment in the opening post, “I think most parents assume unhappily that there just isn’t money for the arts any longer” doesn’t seem correct at all for Cobb, where there still is money for the arts, and that’s the way parents want it.
Concernedparent
July 16th, 2010
8:04 am
I live in a county in SE GA. My youngest child has autism and is in a special education class for the majority of his school day. The only time he was included with his typical peers from a regular education class was during music and art classes. Children with autism need to be taught socialization skills. Music and art are areas that children with autism often excel. We need to use our children’s interests to help them succeed. Parents did attended the BOE meetings and addressed our concerns to the BOE, yet nothing changed and these programs were cut from elementary and middle schools while the football coach is paid over $100,000 just for coaching football and never steps foot in a classroom. The focus of schools has changed from educating children for the future to teaching our children how take a standardized test. Are we really preparing our children for the future? Music and arts must be part of our children’s education.
Original Just a Teacher
July 16th, 2010
8:05 am
Great to see the outpouring of support for the Arts! Bravo!
Ray
July 16th, 2010
8:10 am
Because ‘conservatives’ lack the intellectual capacity to understand the benefits of the arts, they remain vehemently against them.
Very similar to their inability to realize the rewards that come from helping others.
Huh?
July 16th, 2010
8:13 am
I just spent time reading over Beth Farokhi’s web site. She seems to truly have a grasp on what is needed for Georgia’s schools, in all areas. She will have my vote for Superintendent.
Rich
July 16th, 2010
8:13 am
Let the community set up Art programs. Arts and music are important, but we are not getting the basics right. We must have parents or others in all communities that can teach kids art and music. Sorry, we can not continue to pay for things we do not have the money for.
Lynn43
July 16th, 2010
8:14 am
I have already voted and chose Beth. As a Board member, I did so because of her stand on many other issues. I now know that, as a retired music teacher, I made the right choice because of her platform on the Arts. Incidentally, no positions including the Arts have been cut in my county.
Mark
July 16th, 2010
8:14 am
I Love the comment from Traditionalist…You are a Traditional idiot.
Humanities 101
July 16th, 2010
8:14 am
Fantastic, “Person”. Thank you.
Lynn43
July 16th, 2010
8:16 am
Is my post stuck somewhere? I have sent 2, and neither one came up.
Rich
July 16th, 2010
8:17 am
Ray, “Very similar to their inability to realize the rewards that come from helping others.”
This confuses me. Conservative have a history of giving and helping others from what is theirs, Liberals have a history of giving away everyone else’s property. Just look at the tax returns of the conseratives and the liberals (Bush/Cheny vs Obama/Biden). I am sure you will not let the facts get in the way of your view point.
Ezra
July 16th, 2010
8:23 am
Well, the arts lost me when an artist put a cross in a jar of urine and called it art. The sad thing the art museum did nothing. No art please, just spend more time teaching my child American history.
Teacher Reader
July 16th, 2010
8:36 am
I do feel that the schools could afford to fund the arts programs for all children, if money was not being wasted to support programs like NCLB and other federally mandated programs. I also think that if the schools took a bare bones approach to administration and central offices, art programs could continue to be funded. The arts are very important for people to be well rounded. It’s ashame that they are the first thing in schools to be cut, when there is true waste and over spending in many other places.
One would never think to cut the entire sports program of a school and say to leave it to the community. If sports were being cut the way the arts were, the general public would be mad as all get up.
catlady
July 16th, 2010
8:56 am
In a contest for “excess” monies, the arts loses to sports in Georgia, every time.
ScienceTeacher671
July 16th, 2010
8:58 am
So far I haven’t heard any outcry in my area about the shortened school year, the lengthened school day, larger class sizes, or anything else.
Although our community has an extensive recreation department with a greater variety of sports and more opportunities for participation than the school, I’m sure there would be a huge outcry if school sports (especially football!) were cut.
Brian Westlake
July 16th, 2010
8:59 am
Here is an email exchange with someone about the arts. I included concrete programs that can be adopted here in Georgia–not the vague “we need to include the arts” statements that my opponents have been making. Let others know that we also need someone who can win in November, and I am the only current teacher on the Democratic ballot and the only one gaining momentum in the polls (in spite of being out spent nearly 15 to 1 and an existence of a clear media bias in favor of more “establishment” candidates). This is because I am the only candidate talking about the true empowerment of teachers, parents, and students in the policy making process. It will take raw political power to ensure that our politicians prioritize public education and include programs such as the arts in the curriculum. We should not expect much change if we keep electing the “usual suspects” who are committed to the same tired top-down policies.
Here is the exchange:
The arts are extremely important in the education of a child and should be considered core subjects–not something extra that can be discarded when budgets get tight. In the short term, I think that we will need to leverage public money to bring in private dollars to help support the arts in schools, but I am committed to keeping and expanding arts education in the schools. I will be tireless in my efforts to think outside the box to secure support for the arts, and I think there are some great models in other places that we can bring here to Georgia.
I have included links to just a couple of the efforts that are working elsewhere that I would like to see transplanted here. The first is Opening Minds through the Arts in Arizona. The second is El Sistema USA for which Gustavo Dudamel–the 29yr Music Director of the LA Philharmonic–is a great ambassador. I have also included a link to the 60mins episode about Dudamel and El Sistema.
http://www.omaproject.org/
http://elsistemausa.org/
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6490130n&tag=related;photovideo
I hope this gives you an idea about my passion for supporting the arts in public schools. Feel free to call me with any other questions you may have.
Thank you for contacting me with your questions.
Regards,
Brian
Brian Westlake
http://www.brianwestlake.com
catlady
July 16th, 2010
9:02 am
A nearby system, 4 million in the hole after cuts for next year, is spending almost a million on a baseball field. It may be SPLOST money but it looks REAL BAD to spend this at this time. PERCEPTION gets you re-elected, board members! Think about the CEO of BP and his “missteps!”
fultonschoolsparent
July 16th, 2010
9:04 am
It’s not just disinterest by the public, it’s irresponsibility and total failure to respond to the public’s wishes by the leadership of the schools. In Fulton, the BOE and Superintendent completely ignored close to 9000 signatures stating that they wanted the elementary instrumental music programs kept. A national expert was also ignored in favor of a music coordinator who was doing nothing but toadying to that same superintendent and just telling her what she wanted to hear. An after school program has been put in place that is doomed for failure (which school leaders knew in advance). If the school leadership won’t listen and/or retaliates towards those who speak out, the school system is headed for disaster with the kids going down with them.
Doofus
July 16th, 2010
9:08 am
We have a better Art Team than you do! We are ranked number 3 statewide and number 12 nationally. I am President of the Art Boosters. Our Homecoming is going to be great this year! We play South Gwinnett on the scatological interpretive reading of Soren Kierkegaard’s Fear & Trembling. We have a wideout who can exegete the heck out of this tome. L. S. U. has already offered him. We hope to meet Lowndes County in the State Finals.
Catlady Praise
July 16th, 2010
9:12 am
Doofus, You are a real doofus.
Jiminee Perdue, Th. D.
July 16th, 2010
9:17 am
Now y’all stop it! Don’t get into this fussing or bantering again this morning. I will surely call Mark Elgart of SACS and have him pulled this blog’s accreditation in a heartbeat! He does not like fussing at all! He hates the U. S. Congress and every City Council. Too much arguing for him! Just accept the SACS Standards, and blithely and with no questioning let the Superintendent of this blog, Maureen Downey, run everything.
Rich
July 16th, 2010
9:23 am
Each school should have an organization to rais money for the arts. Individuals, companies, and not-for-profits could donate to each school and it could be decided what arts to have. The problem will be not enough money and wasteful spending. Just like now.
fultonschoolparent?
July 16th, 2010
9:29 am
What should have been cut to save the elementary music program? Please give specifics and amounts saved by these cuts.
Catlady Praise
July 16th, 2010
9:33 am
Jiminee: Now there you go again, threatening everyone with the Mark Elgart Club. Yeah, beat us over the head if we question anything, the funding for the Arts. My best Arts player recited Tenneyson’s Crossing the Bar in a 47.3. That’s two tenths of a second faster than Walton’s Scorn Phillips. My guy is just a junior. Scout.Com has him in the top three poem quoters in the Southeast. His best poem is John Done’s No Man is a Continent. That poem best fits his measureable. He’s probably end up reciting this one at either Alabama or Tennessee. He’s narrowed it down to these two powerhouses. But, Saban wants to use him acapella in the Crimson Choir. So, he can play many positions at the elite level.
Catlady Praise
July 16th, 2010
9:35 am
Hey Multi-Blogger: Are you getting paid per post…because some of your stuff is quite boring…almost thoughtless?
The Problem
July 16th, 2010
9:41 am
Here’s the problem with the arts dwindling in high school any way: With the current Math Curriculum that Kathy Cox and Perdue wanted to “lead the way in Achievement”, many students are forced to take a support math class because they struggle with the new curriculum. So a child who struggles must take the support class and the foreign language class that is mandated leaves no room for an arts class.
We have moved to the national standards, but the curriculum is still mandated by the state. We had state standards, but the curriculum was aligned with the standards.