“Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Art in Schools” by Robin Pogrebin discusses a new a book by Ms. Winners and Ms. Hetland. Back in 2000 they published research that said that arts programs in schools did not benefit students’ overall performance in the classroom or on tests (Pogrebin). In their new book they defend their stance, but say that: “art education should be championed for its own sake, not because of a wishful sentiment that classes in painting, dance and music improve pupils’ math and reading skills and standardized test scores,” (Pogrebin). They outline that there are benefits to art programs in schools, but they were indirect, like drama lead to some improvement of speaking skills.
I felt that this article was interesting, but the information was not new. If most arts programs did not support themselves in public schools they would not be there. Just because a student plays an instrument does not make him or her good at math, despite the math involved with playing music. However, it shows America’s value of art and artistic activity; people are only willing to fund the programs if it can improve intelligence and tests scores, not for the sake of art. It is an excellent example of American attitude.
Pogrebin, Robin. "Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Art in Schools." New York Times (2007): n. pag. Web. 8 Apr 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/04/arts/design/04stud.html
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