In schools today, more of an emphasis is placed on technology over the arts (Music, Art, Theatre, Dance). At the government level, where standards are being set in the areas of mathematics and reading and science, standards are being looked at in the arts, but are very vague and require little to no demonstration of ability in the discipline.
Should the arts be eliminated from the education of the youth?
Should they be replaced or should they be emphasized with a passion? –jpringman

The arts should definately not be eliminated from schools! Both technology and arts should be given equal time because they both encourage creativity. I think out in the real world that creativity and ingenuity are more important than anything else. –sandee

I am terribly sad to see what is happening with the education system. Now don't get me wrong, I have no artistic talent whatsoever. I was a math girl, but on the same note, I hated science and loved drama class. Some people just don't fit into the regimented system that they are setting up now. Options and choices are necessary for a child to make a well rounded adult. When I was in school, all things were available to me, art, drama, band, sports, choir, cheerleading... I chose to do those that I was interested in, because they were there. I don't know how far I'd have made it in school if I had to follow the rules that they set down now. I have a friend, who has a teenage daughter, and one who is seven. Her teenager this semester decided to take Art 8 and French 8, well turns out that for Art 8 (they find this out in their first class by the way) they must pay $15.00 per month for the child to get this education. For French 8 (which for me was a pre-requisite) they must pay $5.00 per month. Band and Choir aren't even options for her. It is ridiculous. I happen to know for a fact that band does some good, I went to school with a kid from grade 5-12, and he didn't decide he wanted to take band until 12th grade, and now he is the drummer for Bif Naked. Because the option was there if he wanted to do it, you know. My daughter is about to start kindergarten this year, and I don't know what scares me more, the amount of money it will cost me to send her through grade school, or that the options will just be taken away. Already I can tell that my child is one that needs options, she needs to explore her creative boundries, and with everything that is happening, and emphasis being put directly on Math, Science, and all academic work, where are the children going to learn to expand their horizons... The teachers and government may be helping themselves, but they are doing nothing but damage to the children in the system. –alison

I am heavily involved in the arts! I play the clarinet and the alto saxophone in the school band, I am involved in the school production of "The Wiz," I flourish in things like English and creative writing, yet totally stink in technical areas of math and science. ARTS MUST BE ENCOURAGED!!! IT CANNOT BE LOST!!! I don't know where I would be without my music or writing talents. These are the things that make me who I am! Without the arts, I would seriously be a hallow shell... It has even been proven that arts and music students have a bigger and better learning capacity. It's fun and enriching! –michael

Music related courses were my main focus in High School. I was in orchestra, marching band, concert band, jazz band, and pep band as well as taking music theory and music history. I was also on the drill team. I believe that these things have only helped me in life, not detracted from my education. I was still able to take all of the necessaries like english, various sciences, government, various maths, phys ed (ugh!), and history, not to mention taking the electives of Russian for two years, and sociology. I was also on the yearbook staff. I believe I got more out of my music classes than any of the others. They taught me more than just facts, they taught me how to be part of a team, how to bond with other people for the common good even if they are people that you may not particularly like, it also taught me that you can do anything if you try hard enough, and it taught me about satisfaction from doing a good job. –sandee

I think that the arts are a critical part of the learning process for any children. I always enjoyed the arts while I was in school and am glad that they were available to me. I would hate to see kids not have the same kind of chance that I had to become a well rounded person. -jeff

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