This won’t be on the test

by David Safier
A local group, Opening Minds Through the Arts, has this crazy (meaning well researched) idea that children benefit from art education in the schools, especially when it's an integral part of the curriculum, not something stuck on at the end of the day. I know little about the program myself, but it looks very good.

We're so focused on skills and tests, I feel like I have to mention that the program claims to boost students' reading and math skills, a claim I believe, but it's also broadening children's experiences in many other ways. Call it a win-win.

Here's a video from the edutopia website about the program in Tucson schools.

Update: Patt comments about the OMA program at her school. It sounds a lot like what you see in the video. Patt also says the program costs money, and with the proposed budget cuts . . . Sigh. "OK, kids, get out those books and forget about music. Let's drill, drill, drill for the test."