Pasadena Star News - October 10, 2002
Students achieve more with arts education
by Senator Jack Scott

It probably goes without saying that students have an enriched life when they have been exposed to a quality arts education. Most educators and artists agree that students' creative skills, critical analysis, cross-curricular learning and literary skills are strengthened through the arts.

The arts, as an integral part of overall school curriculum, benefit the student, the school and the community as a whole.

Last month, as chairman of the state Legislature's Joint Committee on the Arts, I held a hearing on arts education as it applies to student learning. What was evident from research testimony provided at the hearing is the nexus between quality arts education and performance.

Modern research is making society increasingly aware of the relationship between participation in the arts and learning development.

Studying the arts in school may help strengthen a child's academic and social skills that can, in turn, aid him/her in learning other subjects.

Recent studies suggest that arts education is beneficial for children and those who are from poor neighborhoods or struggling academically. Moreover, there is information that suggests that arts provide critical links for students to develop crucial thinking and social skills.

Studies now outline the key relationships between learning in the arts and academic and social skills in the following major areas:

• Reading and language development - Certain forms of arts instruction enhance and complement basic reading instruction aimed at helping kids better break alphabet awareness that unlocks written language by associating letters, words and phrases with sounds, sentences and meanings. Reading comprehension and speaking and writing skills are also improved.
• Mathematics - specific music instruction may develop spatial reasoning skills, which are fundamental to understanding and using mathematical ideas and concepts.
• Thinking skills - Learning in individual art forms engages and strengthens such fundamental learning capacities as spatial reasoning, conditional reasoning, problem-solving and creative thinking.
• Motivation to learn - Learning in the arts nurtures motivation, including active engagement, disciplined and sustained attention, persistence and risk taking, and also increases attendance and educational goals.
• Effective social behavior - Studies of student learning in arts activities show student growth in self-confidence, self-identity and greater collaboration in working with other students.
• School environment - The arts help to create the kind of learning environment that is conducive to teacher and student success by fostering teacher innovation, a positive professional environment, community engagement and increased student attendance and retention.

What does all of this mean?

First, that the arts contribute in numerous ways to academic achievement, student engagement, motivation and social skills.

Second, while it is essential that our students master the core academic subject material, the evidence does not support the notion that the arts are merely an add-on to a serious educational curriculum.

While arts education should not be seen as a panacea for the problems that beset our public schools - or act as a substitute to an education based on California's world class standards - the arts do deserve a place in the basic curriculum because of the positive benefits associated with a solid arts program.

Third, based on the new research and from simply observing children actively engaged in the arts, it is clear that arts education deserves a key place in the overall school reform.

Finally, as one researcher commented at the hearing, an expansion of arts programs in the schools could lead to a generation with greater skills and interest in the arts than today's young adults, who came through an arts-deprived school system.

And an increase of the arts in our schools will provide students with new opportunities to build connections among many diverse experiences - indeed, a very worthy goal.