Cut the Arts so Kindergartners Get More College Prep?

I know that I typically use this blog to promote specific events going on in and around our community that deal with the arts, performing or otherwise.  I hope you will forgive me this small diversion in order to speak out about a recent event, indicative of a larger problem, that effects artistic programs throughout our nation.  Anyone who has worked in the arts, especially within a school system, knows that we fight a constant battle of respect.  The perception that exists among far too many educators is that only the "three Rs" (reading, writing and arithmetic) have any role in our schools, and artistic programs are secondary at best or completely unworthy of consideration at worst.

This was exemplified recently by a decision made by Harley Avenue Primary School in Elwood, New York.  Each year, the Kindergarten students at Harley Avenue have put on a year end play.  This year, however, they decided to cancel the play so that they could spend more time preparing these Kindergarten students for "college and career."  Yes, you read that correctly.  Apparently the next thing we will hear is that this school system is implementing an SAT preparatory curriculum for its First Graders.

I understand that the school lost class time this year due to snow closures, but the "college and career" explanation rings pretty hollow when applied to  five and six year olds.  I also am left a bit befuddled at the unspoken implication that cancelling this artistic program is the only way to make up any of that time.  Do they really not have the ability to add days to the end of the school year or make them up elsewhere (as any parent here in Harford County knows, our own children barely had a Spring Break this year)?  I have included a link to the actual letter sent by the school to parents at the bottom of this post.  The entire tone seems very belittling to the value of the arts, as if the only valuable lifelong skills come from a book.

Below is a copy of an email that I sent to the school system.  I have also included links to an article about the school's decision and a Change.org petition to have the program reinstated if you are inclined to add your voice to the growing cacophony of disappointment in the school's actions.

My email:
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXX:

My name is Ken Coughlan and I am the President of a non-profit Drama program in Maryland.  We teach students from Kindergarten through adult all sorts of skills in the dramatic arts of both stage and film, including acting and backstage or behind the camera work.  I understand that I am not a resident of New York, but when I learned of your decision to cancel your year end Kindergarten performance, I felt compelled to speak out because your actions are indicative of a larger problem running through our nation that simply must be addressed; a problem I confront routinely in the operation of our program.

In all honesty, your explanation for cancelling the year end program was not only wrong headed, but it was quite disturbing.  To quote the letter that was sent out by Harley Avenue Primary School, "The reason for eliminating the Kindergarten show is simple.  We are responsible for preparing children for college and career with valuable lifelong skills and know that we can best do that by having them become strong readers, writers, coworkers, and problem solvers. ... we are making these decisions with the interests of all children in mind."  Apparently your definition of "valuable lifelong skills" only includes reading, writing, etc.  What ever happened to the arts?  Do you honestly not see the value in encouraging children in their artistic endeavors as well?  Are you unaware, for example, that a plethora of studies have shown that children who participate in the arts also tend to score higher in those other areas that you mention?  They become better readers, writers, mathematicians, etc.  Frankly, the reasoning you gave for cancelling this performance was insulting to everyone engaged in the performing arts, as if those skills are not "valuable" and only the "three Rs" are worthy of a school system's consideration.  Are the arts to be willingly sacrificed in order for the children to spend more time buried in a book?  That is precisely what you are doing here.

You say you are acting in the best interests of all the children.  Forgive me, but I fail to see how that is true.  What type of children are you trying to create?  Children devoid of dreams, imagination and creativity?  Children who lack the capacity to think on their feet or the ability to emote confidence that can only come from practical experience?  No amount of "book learning" is ever going to train a child to be comfortable in front of others or to project a positive image.  How are children who are denied these opportunities going to handle the pressure of a job interview or convince a group of investors, board of directors, or others to believe in him or her when making a presentation?  These are all skills that the arts help to instill in our students, regardless of whether they pursue a career in the arts when they grow up.  Yet you apparently would rather keep them sitting at a desk in a classroom rather than give them the practical experience they need to develop these traits.

Of course the fundamental skills of reading, writing and arithmetic are important.  Nobody would claim otherwise.  But what you seem to be failing to grasp is that these skills are not the sum total of what makes a well rounded person, ready to face our competitive world marketplace.  You have an opportunity right here in front of you to plant a seed in these young ones, to help start a process that can grow into extremely valuable lifelong skills that no one should be without.  I am simply asking that in accordance with your jobs as educators, you recognize the educational opportunity in front of you and not let this moment pass you by.  Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

Ken Coughlan

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The letter: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/files/2014/04/Kindergarten-1.jpg

The Article: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/04/28/Kindergarten-show-canceled-so-school-can-focus-on-college-...

The Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/elwood-school-district-re-instate-the-kindergarten-show