In recent years, many educators have advocated for the importance of arts education, stressing that subjects like music, theater, and visual arts are just as essential as traditional academic courses such as math and science. Unfortunately, these programs often face budget cuts and are deemed less relevant in many classrooms. However, this narrative can change when schools choose to prioritize arts education over more conventional expenditures, such as security officers.
Take, for instance, Maplewood Elementary in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where Principal Mark Stevens took over a struggling institution. Faced with the challenge of revitalizing one of the lowest-performing schools in the state, Stevens made the bold decision to eliminate funding for security personnel and redirect those resources into enhancing the arts program.
It’s important to recognize that children learn in diverse ways; this is a truth that many educators are still grappling with. According to Learning Lift Off, incorporating arts into education can foster creativity, boost academic performance, enhance self-confidence, and improve decision-making skills. The key to unlocking these benefits lies in the commitment of school leadership to prioritize such programs.
Maplewood was among eight schools selected for a pilot initiative launched by the Obama administration’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) aimed at integrating arts into education. Stevens replaced a significant portion of the teaching staff with educators specializing in the arts. “Investing in arts education is far more impactful,” he noted, “than spending a quarter-million dollars on security personnel to manage a few misbehaving students,” as reported by KQED.
The transformation at Maplewood was remarkable. With over 800 students, many of whom were eligible for free or reduced lunches and were learning English as a second language, the school had faced challenges in traditional learning models. Throughout its first seven years, it experienced five leadership changes, and each year, half of the teaching staff would leave. Test scores fell within the bottom five percent of Massachusetts schools, and the outlook seemed grim. However, once Stevens made the arts a priority, students thrived, gaining confidence and successfully transitioning to high school and beyond.
The school acquired musical instruments, welcomed artists to collaborate with students, and conducted workshops for both teachers and parents that emphasized creative expression. Soon, the hallways were adorned with student artwork, instilling a sense of pride and ownership among the children. “When you design a school that students want to be a part of, they excel,” Stevens said. “Providing robust arts and sports programs transforms school into an enjoyable environment, leading to greater success.”
Ultimately, the focus is on inspiring students to learn in ways that resonate with them. The issue isn’t typically the students themselves; rather, it’s often the educational system that needs adjustment. By reforming the system appropriately, many challenges surrounding poor behavior, low engagement, and lack of motivation can be alleviated.
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In summary, schools that invest in arts education rather than traditional security measures can create a vibrant, engaging learning environment that fosters student success and personal growth. As seen at Maplewood Elementary, prioritizing the arts over conventional approaches can lead to dramatic improvements in student engagement and academic performance.
Keyphrase: Investing in Arts Education
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