Fine Arts In Schools

Imagine school without fine arts, without a class to express yourself. Schools across the country are thinking about eliminating art classes because of insufficient funds. Schools should not eliminate art classes because they improve test scores, give students freedom, and allows students with many opportunities they won't find anywhere else. Primarily, fine arts improves scores in all different subjects. As stated in, Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, "Low-income high school students who earned few or no arts credits were five times more likely not to graduate from high school than low-income students who earned many arts credits." Also from a recent study done by The College Board, they found out that, "Students who take four years of arts and music classes while in high school score 91 points better on their SAT exams than students who took only a half year or less. Scores averaged 1070 among students in
Art classes allow students to express themselves, and have at least one part of the day where there is no right or wrong answer. To quote from Tyleah Hawkins, "The arts have also proven to be a form of inspiration and expression for at-risk students, especially those inner-city schools, and have been shown to improve their outlook on education." Barbara Benglian, the 2006 Pennsylvania state teacher of the year, said "Arts education gives children a place where they can express themselves and channel negative emotion into something positive." Art classes create a, "supportive environment that promotes constructive acceptance of criticism and one where it is safe to take risks." according to a study titled, "The Role of the Fine and Performing Arts in High School Dropout Prevention" This demonstrates that by taking away art classes, it is taking away the freedom that to many students, is the motivation they need to come to