What Happens to Artists Who Aren’t Good Readers?
Imagine children in public schools today, who do not read well, but who are undiscovered, gifted artists. They are continually drilled in reading and get few opportunities to express themselves artistically.
In some schools, if a student does not test well in reading they do not get to be in the band, or they are not permitted to sign up for art.
If a student does not test well in reading, their fate is usually sealed. They get repetitive reading remediation–reading drill–to prepare for the tests.
In fact, often struggling schools no longer offer the arts because administrators and state officials are obsessed with testing.
But students with reading difficulties need the arts!
Jane Piirto in her wonderful book Understanding Those Who Create, writes about the What Happens to Artists Who Aren’t Good Readers?:
