Many people are debating whether or not art classes and programs should be cut from schools? curriculum. Many schools are experiencing budget cuts and are choosing to cut art classes and programs from their school to account for the loss of money. People are arguing if it is better to cut art classes to provide an emphasis on core classes, or keep these classes to provide students with an outlet for improving a wide variety of developmental processes?
The best argument in favor for cutting art classes and programs from schools is that it will force students to focus more on core classes. It is more important for students to do well in classes like math, science, and writing, rather than classes that students take to express creativity.
Students are more likely to use what they learned in core classes once they graduate. People are forced to use math everyday of their life performing the simplest of tasks. Just going to a grocery store and buying food requires some use of math whether it be deciding what bills to use to pay for the food, or checking to see if the correct change has been given back.
Reading and writing are also very important in everyday life. Reading is necessary to acquire more information and learn new tasks. Without the ability to properly read one?s level of education will stay stagnant. People also need to know how to read to perform everyday tasks such as reading directions to cook or properly use a product.
The next best argument for cutting art classes and programs is that schools must follow certain laws and procedures. Schools also have incentive to cut these art classes because their performance is graded based on the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards, which 46 states are implementing in their programs, does not even include art classes in its scoring process. More so, schools that place low on this scoring process are more likely to receive even more budget cuts. By forcing students to focus on their core classes, schools receive more benefits and less problems.
Schools also take into account The No Child Left Behind Act. They believe that it is more important for children that are falling behind to focus on the core classes to catch up to the curriculum. Because both of these standards have a high emphasis on the core classes and these standards are so important to many schools, there is no need for the art classes so they are the first to be cut.
Students use the skills that they learn in their core classes everyday once they graduate from school. These skills will guide them through life, making even difficult and monotonous tasks seem simple. Schools also must hold themselves up to a level of expertise. They are forced to follow certain guidelines. If these guidelines are not met, it is the schools and students who suffer.
