In the current landscape of education, the focus on standardized testing often sidelines crucial subjects like the arts. However, a groundbreaking initiative is taking root in New York City’s public charter schools, particularly within the Ascend Learning network, where the aim is to transform the educational experience—one artwork and performance at a time.
As reported by journalist Emma Caldwell in a recent article, one Ascend school located in the economically challenged neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn, is redefining educational norms. CEO of Ascend, Thomas R. Jacobs, envisioned arts-centric schools to better equip students not just for college, but for life. He highlights that students from Brownsville often face culture shock upon entering college, indicating a gap in their preparatory experience. By integrating arts education into the curriculum, the aim is to foster creativity—an essential skill in today’s competitive job market.
Traditionally, arts programs receive limited funding in environments where high-stakes testing prevails, as schools prioritize time and resources for reading and math drills. Yet, the new Common Core standards advocate for the arts, referencing them approximately 75 times. The standards suggest that students should analyze various forms of art and even create their own.
While some institutions continue to cut arts funding, Ascend is moving in the opposite direction. Under Jacobs’ leadership, these schools are designed to resemble art galleries, adorned with high-quality reproductions of famous artworks. The educational framework interweaves arts into every subject; for instance, fifth-graders engage with Shakespeare’s The Tempest while exploring themes of colonialism and family dynamics, and seventh-graders delve into the works of Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau as preparation for standardized tests—eschewing typical test-prep passages.
Jacobs aspires to show that rigorous arts education can thrive in public schools, although Ascend allocates more funds to facilities than might be feasible for many other institutions, leading to larger class sizes. Nevertheless, any effort to make schools look less like correctional facilities—many equipped with barred windows—will surely resonate with parents and contribute to a more inviting learning atmosphere. As the conversation continues about reducing the emphasis on standardized testing, perhaps even more schools will embrace the idea of prioritizing The Tempest over mere test prep.
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In summary, the vision to reshape schools into art-inspired environments offers a promising alternative to the traditional prison-like settings many students experience. By integrating arts into the curriculum, schools can better prepare students for the complexities of life beyond academia.
Keyphrase: Schools as Art Galleries
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