Here's the Deal
In America, high school is viewed as the worst four years of a teenager's life. We are bullied, harassed, subjected to harsh scrutiny by not only our peers, but our teachers, and most often ourselves. The rate of mental illness for teenagers is a whopping 20%, and that's just those that are diagnosed. Out of all diagnosed mental illnesses in the country, 75% of sufferers developed theirs during adolescence. In 2012, 12, 196, 959 juveniles were arrested. Of those, over one million were for violent crimes. The teenagers of America need a release. They need somewhere to go and express themselves without fear of judgement or scorn. They need the arts, and that's where we come in.
Those who study the arts in high school not only report significantly higher test scores, but they are more likely to be socially involved, and experience more and better career opportunities throughout life, as well as have higher career goals. They're more outgoing, less violent, and happier overall.
But let's break down the numbers.
Eighth graders involved in the arts were found to be 31% more likely to read the newspaper at least once a week, 21% of all arts involved students were more likely to volunteer, and 14% more likely to vote regularly in most elections. (National Endowment for the Arts, 2012).
On the other side, those not involved with or studying the arts experience lower levels of accomplishment beyond high school (James Catterall, 2015), tend to be less disciplined , and overall less involved with society.
Despite the overwhelming evidence towards the benefits of arts programs, over 80% of United States schools have cut program funding since 2008. Not only that, but when counties encounter difficult financial times, the arts are often the first to go. Federal funding for the arts rolls in at an astonishing twenty times less than that for science programs. Not to mention, even though the No Child Left Behind Act mentions the arts are a core subject, schools like Adams Middle School had to cut their programs completely.
If numbers aren't enough to convince that the arts are vital, take it from the students themselves.
Those who study the arts in high school not only report significantly higher test scores, but they are more likely to be socially involved, and experience more and better career opportunities throughout life, as well as have higher career goals. They're more outgoing, less violent, and happier overall.
But let's break down the numbers.
Eighth graders involved in the arts were found to be 31% more likely to read the newspaper at least once a week, 21% of all arts involved students were more likely to volunteer, and 14% more likely to vote regularly in most elections. (National Endowment for the Arts, 2012).
On the other side, those not involved with or studying the arts experience lower levels of accomplishment beyond high school (James Catterall, 2015), tend to be less disciplined , and overall less involved with society.
Despite the overwhelming evidence towards the benefits of arts programs, over 80% of United States schools have cut program funding since 2008. Not only that, but when counties encounter difficult financial times, the arts are often the first to go. Federal funding for the arts rolls in at an astonishing twenty times less than that for science programs. Not to mention, even though the No Child Left Behind Act mentions the arts are a core subject, schools like Adams Middle School had to cut their programs completely.
If numbers aren't enough to convince that the arts are vital, take it from the students themselves.