Because of low funding from the state, several schools nationwide are cutting art programs such as music and drama, before sports. Should the students quit the play and "get ready, set, hut!" or turn in their uniforms and be able to sing "Do-Re-Mi?" Any other suggestions?
Thanks!!
Maria Mathine
9 comments:
Before I post my comment I am going to assume that this is in regaurds to high school programs. If it includes college it should be known that athletics plays a great role in revenue for colleges and universities and simply because of the busniess of college athletics, when squeezed for money, schools will cut programs in the order of cash they bring in (as long as it complies with title IX) and football will usually be cut long after the band.
As far as high school goes, programs like the band and football both benifit youth by teaching how to dedicate, team work, and build character. And unless a school is so "big time" that it needs its football or band program to bring in serious money, the one that seems more important to the students will be the one that stays if one has to go.
There both football players and band members that will be able to attribute thier future sucess in part to what they learned while playing football or playing in the band.
-Matt
Music and drama should never be cut from schools if possible! Students get so much from these programs. It would be a shame for them to miss out on the opportunities music and drama provide. I'm not saying any sports should be cut either, because they are just as valuable. Choosing between sports and the arts is choosing which abilities and talents are more valuable. Not everyone is going to be the next Mozart, and not everyone is going to play in the NFL. However, everyone should have the opportunity to participate in and learn from these activities. I think a lot of the time when schools are low on funding, the arts get pushed to the side because sports tend to draw more support from the community--a basketball game is more entertaining than a classical concert to many people. If funding must be cut, then it should be cut evenly from all extra-curricular activities.
Ok so maybe I am biased because I am part of the second best music department in the state ( whoo hoo right olivia??? haha), but do not think that art programs should be cut under any circumstances. BAD IDEA!!!!!! If my school wants to cut costs, I would rather them not feed me lunch than take away art, and music classes.
Now i am not saying they should make cuts in sports either. I do play volleyball and softball, so sports are part of my life as well. I would rather not have any cuts as far as activties go. I think budget cuts can be made elsewhere.
~!~ cassandra Griffith~!~
I was an athlete in school and i think that it is wrong for the state to shut down programs such as music or drama.I think that they are great programs for people who are into that. I enjoy drama and i think the government should cut other things besides this.
~Katherine Schluter~
Even though there is a serious problem with state funding for schools, I think that it still comes down to- programs or things are funded based on what is perceived to be high priority. It comes down to the people in charge of the budget feeling that a piece of the pie should go to music or art and sports. Getting school boards and administrators on board is so vital. Bringing them into classrooms, getting them to talk with teachers of the arts and students that love the arts can help. Out of sight, out of mind, and the squeeky wheel gets the oil come to mind. Sport programs are so popular and visible and usually are revenue producing that they would be the last thing to go. It is terrible that a school would ever feel forced to cut music or art. Surely there is some true waist in the budget elsewhere. How about looking at administative waist?
First and foremost, I would like to say that I love music very much and would hate to see it cut from my school or any other school. Music and the fine arts provide not only teach and highlight talents, but they provide a place for people with similar interests to "fit in." Athletes are often more extroverted than artists, thespians, and musicians, so it is nice for the latter three to have a place where they feel welcome. Though they are very important to individuals, the fine arts do not really promote school spirit (band being an exception). If sports or the fine arts had to be cut, I would actually say sports should stay. Arts are a passion to most people, so I am sure that extracurricular clubs would be very popular if the classes were cut. Though I am not an athlete, sports are such an essential part of high school to me. They also provide many scholarship opportunities for students that, for whatever reason, would not otherwise be able to attend college.
I think that we need a different solution on the way we fund our schools. But your not asking about that. I don't think music and the arts should automatically be cut before sports. I think they both play an important roll in the schools. Maybe the solution would be to cut the programs that cost the most first. Isn't that why they cut anything in the first place because of the money? So if it cost a thousand dollars a year more for football than it does for band, then cut football first, or vice versa.. Seems like the fair way to handle it. It's sad that our government wastes money on stupid things instead of worrying about our children's education. They are the next generation and will be running the country.
I think if one should be cut it should be music or drama because you can get scholarships from sports. Sports are just a part of a school you can cut sports. I think the other students can find something else to do. If they really want to do music they can pay someone to teach them. That's just my opinion though.
I was a big volleyball player in high school and softball in high school and college. I loved softball so much that it was the main reason I even went to school. I was also in choir all 4 years of high school because of my love for singing. I feel that art programs like music and drama should never be cut just like sports. If schools cut any programs it should be one that isn’t cutting from kid’s passions like lunch or ugly sculptures that are around my high school. But if they had to cut from these activities, it should be done with all the student’s preferences in mind and equally.
~Jamie~
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