Arts Curriculum-Other/Class Reaction/Reading Reaction

After examining Maxine Greene's essay on the arts-aesthetic curriculum, I found our class discussion to be intriguing and informative. I enjoyed being able to discuss English and literature in its merits, but also hearing from other classmates who were able to discuss their discipline as well. Brad's comments about math were insightful, explaining some frustration with the rigidity of a math curriculum and its ability to stifle student thought and creativity. I also valued Adranna and Chris' comments on music education, which is not something I know much about. Coming into this class, I thought that an arts education should be diminished (music, art, chorus) in lieu of a stronger curriculum that would enhance student knowledge, especially since students are underachieving and many are not getting the education that they need.

I cam across an article that discusses the merits of arts education, as well as the significant impact it has had on student achievement.

http://www.edutopia.org/arts-music-curriculum-child-development

The article asserts that arts education helps achieve what we as a nation are demanding from public education- social/emotional development, civic engagement, and academic achievement. Arts education is also closely linked to improvements in math and literacy scores. Many of Greene's points are echoed in this article, exhibiting that arts education is highly beneficial to students, but acknowledges its decline with decreased funding.

The article also discusses top-down mandates versus implementation in the classroom, such as Tyack and Cuban outline in their book. In order to effectively transform our schools into ones that are enhancing student knowledge and education, arts education is essential.

"When you think about the purposes of education, there are three," Horne says. "We're preparing kids for jobs. We're preparing them to be citizens. And we're teaching them to be human beings who can enjoy the deeper forms of beauty. The third is as important as the other two."