| Art programs, such as art appreciation, drama, | | | | be linked to improvement in everything from math |
| theater and music, have been suffering across the | | | | skills to truancy. Arts education in elementary and |
| nation for 30 years, as school officials concentrate on | | | | secondary schools produce skilled sculptors, actors, |
| the basics of learning. With federal programs, such as | | | | musicians, singers and so many other arts-related |
| No Child Left Behind, even more focus has been | | | | careers. The arts also improve the socialization skills |
| placed on basic learning skills, which excludes the arts. | | | | of students. |
| This also means that any extra funding is funneled | | | | Bill Eriendson, assistant superintendent of the San |
| into these basic learning programs in order to meet | | | | Jose schools, stated that the level of funding for the |
| state and federal-set standards. Arts education is one | | | | arts is inadequate. Last year, the state budgeted |
| of the standards that should be met by schools | | | | $500 million for the arts and physical education; |
| within the state of California, yet the state does not | | | | however, this amount was a one-time deal. The norm |
| impose penalties on schools that do not met these | | | | is $105 million, which is about $15 per student. |
| particular standards. | | | | According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools requires |
| A statewide survey by SRI International concluded | | | | about $800,000 to restore just their music programs |
| that of the 1,123 schools surveyed: | | | | at the elementary San Jose schools. This figure does |
| 89 percent failed to meet state standards for arts | | | | not include the purchase of instruments. |
| education; | | | | San Jose schools are a good representation of the |
| Nearly 1/3 offered no art education coursework that | | | | statewide findings. Besides trying to meet state and |
| met state standards; | | | | federal standards in the basic coursework, the San |
| 61 percent had no full-time arts specialist, with | | | | Jose schools were hit with Proposition 13 that was |
| classroom teachers without adequate training | | | | passed in 1978, which imposed tax cuts for |
| teaching arts education at the elementary level; | | | | Californians and greatly reduced funding for arts |
| Kindergarten through 12 enrollment in music classes | | | | education. The arts were first cut in the secondary |
| declined by 37 percent over a five-year period, | | | | San Jose schools and then in the elementary San |
| ending last June; and | | | | Jose schools. By the late 1980s, arts education was |
| Poor schools have the least access to arts education; | | | | all but gone in the San Jose schools. |
| whereas better income schools (where parents can | | | | According to Funk, there currently is a waiting list of |
| afford private lessons) are more apt to have it. | | | | 225 San Jose schools students. He finds San Jose |
| Chris Funk is the San Jose schools principal of Lincoln | | | | schools students are drawn to the dance, theater, |
| High School, a stellar magnet arts school. He believes | | | | music and visual arts programs offered by his school. |
| that the more San Jose schools students are | | | | Without the support of the Lincoln Foundation, which |
| exposed to the arts the better they will do in testing | | | | donated $75,000 for this school year, this San Jose |
| within other coursework. | | | | schools arts magnet would not exist. |
| Studies have proven that a strong arts program can | | | | |