THE BROKEN WORLD OF CALIFORNIA ARTS EDUCATION
SACRAMENTO WE MUST HAVE MORE COWBELLS
Are you ready for a wild ride? Because we're about to do a deep dive into the broken world of California arts education. And let me tell you, it's a hot mess.
According to California's state-mandated arts standard, students from grades first through sixth are supposed to receive instruction in dance, music, theater, and visual arts in each grade level. And from grades seventh to 12th, they're supposed to have the choice from these four buckets of arts education. Sounds great, right? Wrong.
A 2019 report by Create CA found that a whopping 89% of public schools in California were not meeting the state standards for arts education. That's right, folks. We're failing our kids when it comes to the arts. But don't worry, we've got a solution. And it involves more cowbell.
First things first, let's talk about why arts education is important. Sure, we need to focus on the three R's (reading, writing, and arithmetic), but what about the three A's (art, music, and acting)? Studies have shown that students who participate in the arts have higher GPAs, better attendance records, and are more likely to go to college. Plus, they're just happier people. Who doesn't want that?
So why are we failing our kids? It all comes down to funding. California education is underfunded, which means that schools have to make tough choices about where to allocate their resources. And unfortunately, the arts often get left behind. But fear not, because we've got a plan.
Step one: more cowbell. That's right, we're proposing a statewide initiative to bring more cowbell into the classroom. Not only is it a fun and easy instrument to play, but it also has been scientifically proven to increase happiness levels. And who doesn't want happy kids?
Step two: let's get creative. We need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to arts education. Maybe instead of traditional music classes, we could have DJ workshops. Or instead of painting classes, we could have graffiti art lessons (don't worry, parents, it'll be supervised). The possibilities are endless.
Step three: let's get the community involved. We need to start partnering with local artists and musicians to bring their expertise into the classroom. Not only will this give students a chance to learn from professionals, but it will also help build relationships between schools and their communities.
In conclusion, California arts education may be broken, but it's not beyond repair. With a little more cowbell, some creative thinking, and community involvement, we can turn things around. So let's get out there and make some noise (literally).
The way Sacramento pays for arts education is broken. Here’s what could help. https://www.capradio.org/articles/2023/06/14/the-way-sacramento-pays-for-arts-education-is-broken-heres-what-could-help/
