Arts Education

By Karin M. Freeman

The following is the response to the survey for the California Alliance for Arts Education, in partnership with Arts Orange County and in collaboration with 4th District PTA (serving Orange County).

1. What meaningful experiences with the arts (visual arts, dance, drama and/or music) did you have growing up?

Art in so many ways has been a part of my life and I am richer for it. I grew up in a family environment where art was commonplace. My uncle was an artist who earned his livelihood from commercial and fine art. My grandmother taught ceramics and other art in her studio shop.

During my elementary school years, our district provided opportunities to attend concerts performed by the Seattle Symphony during school hours. Students were also encouraged to take advantage of professional theater productions performed for children on Saturdays.

Throughout all three years of middle school, I was in vocal music. I also participated in extracurricular dancing for one year. My confidence grew over time, and I was in the talent show my last year.

By high school, my interest turned to drama. Two years of classes further inspired me. I was fortunate to be cast in school plays and in talent shows. I also learned how to do stage make-up and some stage management. Drama introduced me to wonderful adventures and created new friendships. I was inducted into Thespians and remain very proud of that accomplishment.

My daughter took art during her schools year from elementary through high school. She studied at an art institute and has taught children's art. My son was in several school plays in elementary and was in instrumental band and jazz band in middle school. The arts remain part of our lives.

2. What role do you think the arts can play in supporting key education priorities such as closing the achievement gap, reducing the dropout rate and preparing more students for college eligibility and the 21st century workforce?

Substantial research has been conducted which has identified the significance of both visual and performing arts in relation to student achievement. There's compelling evidence connecting student learning in the arts to an array of benefits both in academic achievement as well as socially. Studies have shown that students can master other subjects more readily when involved in the arts. PYLUSD has been very supportive of several schools that have been using the Mind Institute which uses piano keyboard training to improve the acquisition of math skills.

A well-documented national study of over 25,000 middle and high school students found that students who are highly involved in the arts performed better on standardized achievement tests. An added benefit was that arts-involved students watched fewer hours of television, were not as bored in school, and were more active in community service.

For some students, it's difficult to make a connection with school and with teachers. The arts can provide that connection. Just like some students love sports or science or student leadership, others may find their comfort level and identity in such classes as music, drama, dance, and digital art.

Daniel Pink, author of "A Whole New Mind", continues to express the importance of thinking creatively and how this can give a distinct advantage or edge over others who have not done course work in the arts. That creative edge will better serve students as they enter college or move directly into the workforce.

3. A standards-based art curriculum is one of the five core subjects in NCLB and critical for developing skills vital in the creative economy and the 21st century workforce. Yet, most often only "what is tested is taught" in our schools. How do you envision bringing balance back for a comprehensive education and ensuring that all students have access to a quality, standards-based arts education curriculum?

Proudly, our district has had a long history of supporting the arts as part of a comprehensive education. In fact, PYLUSD was recently named one of the top 100 school districts in the nation for our focus on visual and performing arts. While we do place emphasis on the core subjects that are tested, PYLUSD is committed to ensuring that our students have access to a strong arts curriculum.

All of our elementary schools have a visual arts program. All of the middle and high schools have full time art teachers. Annually the district has an amazing Visual Arts Festival spanning five days. Student-created art representing all mediums draws a turn out of hundreds of students, parents, staff, and community members.

Throughout the school year, numerous concerts and school plays are held to showcase the talent of students in the performing arts. In the fall, the annual district-wide Band Pageant is hosted at Bradford Stadium. Each of the middle and high school bands perform individually and jointly before a full house.

Although some modifications have been made at certain grade levels as a result of funding cuts, the district has built into its plans for the future the restoration of the opportunities that were formerly part of the curriculum.

4. If elected, how will you engage classroom teachers, arts teachers, parents and community art organizations to shape your agenda for arts education or implement your district's strategic arts plan?

If elected, I will continue to support maintaining the arts as a high priority. I'm very pleased that this past spring a task force developed a strategic arts plan. The task force consisted of teachers and administrators representing all schools and all areas of art and music education. The team studied frameworks, standards, and best practices. They prioritized goals and put forth recommendations beginning with a focus on a comprehensive standards-based art education curriculum for K-12.

It's important to me that students throughout the district have access to instruction in the arts beginning early in their education. Whether it is a highly qualified specialist and/or the classroom teacher who instructs, our students need to experience the enrichment brought about by involvement in the arts.

I am an ardent supporter of the imminent construction of the new performing arts center to be located at El Dorado High School. With so much demand for performance venues by our district schools, it will be a welcomed additional asset.

I am steadfast in my commitment to encourage the ongoing support of the arts by our various booster groups, our dedicated PTA's, and other community organizations and individuals. Their dedication has provided significant assistance in so many ways and has ultimately helped strengthen our programs.