Arts Funding Atrocities

The main reason that the arts are cut from the school systems is because of funding. When school budgets are cut, they look first to "non-essential" learning topics. As most schools learning systems are now based on standardized testing, and the subsequent funding they receive from high scores. The classes that best cover testing topics are the number one priority. The idea that learning in a school has now transformed into year round test preparation is appalling, and it destroys the students idea of conventional learning methods.  The classes needed to prepare students for testing are the basics, such as mathematics, literature, history, and science. This set of classes has been deemed significantly more important than other school subjects, and therefore when budget cuts threaten schools, they do what it takes to make sure these classes stay alive. So where does that leave the arts? The arts programs are the first to be cut when funding is low. The school boards of America feel that removing the programs that are less essential and making children study and cram to pass tests and prove how much they are "learning" is a much more efficient way of schooling.

Its understandable to assume that budget cuts can lead to great losses, but the removal of arts programs in the schools is not a legitimate solution.

The best solution I can see? A full integration of the arts and education. Instead of separating these two class types into essential and non-essential groups, combine the two to form an indistinguishable line between Arts and education. By fully incorporating the two, the best of both worlds will be available to students.

And in the end, that's what's its all about. The students.