Study: CA Students Need More Art Education

Mar. 1- KGO (KGO) -- Most California schools are getting failing grades for the arts programs -- this according to a reputable research firm, SRI in Palo Alto.

Every public school student in California should have access to music, visual arts, theater and dance -- that's a state mandate established in 2001.

Katrina Woodworth lead the study.

Katrina Woodworth, SRI International: "We found that the vast majority of schools in California, 89 percent, failed to meet the state requirements for art education."

At the request of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, SRI International surveyed 1,800 schools in California, and studied 31 of them in ten districts. Twenty-nine percent of California's schools don't offer any kind of arts programs. And California students lag behind the national average when it comes to the numbers of hours invested in arts education.

One major reason why many California schools have fallen behind in the arts is the tremendous pressure put on schools to perform well in math and reading.

Robert Daniels is the lead administrator for the Visual and Performing Arts Department for San Francisco public schools. He expects the study to stir up the debate over arts programs.

Robert Daniels, Visual and Performing Arts Dept. SFUSD: "There is data that shows that an integrated arts education Pre-K through 12 advanced test scores social involvement, student achievement."

The study mentioned three Bay Area counties with a good plan in the works - Santa Clara, Alameda and San Francisco. Two years ago San Francisco voters adopted Proposition H to increase funding to help support libraries, sports and the arts.

Robert Daniels: "We would have 40 to 45 extra art teachers in the district -- that would be a vision about seven years from now."

Not surprisingly, the study also found the more affluent school districts usually have the better arts programs.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•