The demands of standardized tests have many negative implications on students’ opportunities to experience a comprehensive education in our schools. Visual arts, dance and theater are just a few art forms that students should be engaged in as part of a complete, appropriate education. As an educator, I see how art learning often takes a backseat to the demands of testing.
Recently, I heard a teacher drop off a student 15 minutes late to art and say, “Sorry he’s late! He had to finish up his testing.” Why should testing take precedence over art class?
It is not the teachers’ fault, though. Because the demands for testing are so great, educators are forced to cut into art or physical education to pull students for testing because those subjects are not tested. What a conundrum.
In the education world, I often hear, “We need to prepare our students with 21st century skills.” “We need students to be creative problem solvers.” “Students should be thinking critically.” I can’t help but compare spending hours taking standardized tests to growing and learning through art experiences.
According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that are necessary for the 21st century. Skills gained in the experience of making decisions and choices in art, allows children to engage in deeper thinking.
Arts educator and author MaryAnn Kohl says, “If they [students] are exploring and thinking and experimenting and trying new ideas, then creativity has a chance to blossom.”
Do standardized tests require students to explore, try new ideas and think creatively? No at all!
We all want our students to be innovative individuals that grow up to be successful. Art affords students and opportunity to develop inventiveness that is absolutely necessary today.
As an educator, I ask that we start a conversation around the importance of art in education and fight to keep it.
For more information on art education, go to artsandmuseums.utah.gov/arts-education-toolkit/ for resources, programs, and volunteer opportunities.
From the classroom,
Cher Sten, Salt Lake City
