Source: CreativeCareerSchools.com

it is time we add a fourth "R" to our education mantra...Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic and aRt. then we can stop the debating and haggling about arts education. it all makes perfect sense when studies show that arts education enhances overall learning. visit the U.S. Department web site (www.ed.gov) and look at the menu of topic, you will see math, reading and science. it certainly looks like a lack of priority has been given to arts. by the way, the Bush administration's "No Child Left Behind" act doesn't include art education as a goal. yes, reading and math is very important. when looking for the word "arts" in the White House document, it was no where to be found.

A news story in, The Republican, in response to a discussion about the Springfield, Massachusetts school system doesn't give anyone confidence in school administration, especially when it comes to arts education: "'We are not blaming anybody for this. It just happened and here we are,' said Vera S. Baker, director of the school district's fine arts department." she didn't say that?!

let's say goodbye to the 3-Rs, and hello to the 4-Rs!

Visit these sites for more about Arts Education:

Good Schools Require the Arts, PBS Teacher Resource
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/whats_new/arts/jul00.shtm

The Arts Education Partnership
http://aep-arts.org/

Americans for the Arts
www.americansforthearts.org

VH1 Save the Music Foundation
http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/home.html

National Endowment for the Arts
www.arts.gov

President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
www.pcah.gov.

Art Start
www.art-start.org

Come back soon for more news and insight about arts education.