Despite the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, the arts continue to suffer in American schools, especially in poor and minority communities. One quarter of all school principals report decreased instructional time for the arts, with only eight percent reporting an increase, according to the Council for Basic Education. The percentage of students involved in music is now at its lowest point in 20 years, declining from 18.5 percent of the total student population to just 10 percent.
Studies have shown students who study the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, be elected to class office, and score higher on the SAT. They are less likely to be involved with drugs and students who were in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances. The Creative Coalition, mostly made up of people in the arts industry, supports bringing, and keeping, the arts in schools.
TCC partners with
Strong American Schools The Creative Coalition is
partnering with the Strong American Schools' "ED in '08" initiative to help
ensure that education issues become a centerpiece for the 2008 presidential
campaign cycle. For more information on ED in '08 click
HERE.
