Officials are claiming that arts and music programs are being cut from many schools because they simply cannot afford the programs. Although spending on arts programs has decreased dramatically over the years, overall city spending on education has more or less been stable. Where, then, is all the money going, if not toward extra-curricular subjects?
According to the Center for Arts Education, new curriculum designs are to blame. The implemented policies put in place by the current mayoral administration have placed heavy emphasis on “achievement” in schools, which is measured solely by the students’ test scores on state exams. The New York City Department of Education has developed a rewards system to principles involving salary bonuses,intending to raise test scores on two specific state tests – the English Language Arts, and Math. As a result, principles have spent more on resources meant to help students with the “core subjects” and were therefore “forced” to cut back on many other “extra-curricular subjects.”
In fact, according to school budgets found on the Department of Education, schools have begun to overspend on new technological resources to help students with these core subjects, and are then forced to lay off extra-curricular teachers because of a “lack of money.” As a result, certain schools have an over-abundance of technology such as computers and smart-boards, but limited qualified arts and other extra-curricular teachers.
Furthermore, because some school district perform poorer on state tests than others, they are forced to allocate more of their financial resources on the core subjects in their students’ education to ensure they get higher scores. As a result, certain school districts are providing less of a variety of programs than others and depriving their students a well-rounded education, which ironically becomes detrimental to the students success in these core subjects.
In fact, ever since these policies were enacted, several school districts have reported a drop in test scores. Many schools, especially high schools, were even forced to close down because of drops in standardized test scores. During his long term as mayor, Bloomberg has closed down one hundred and forty schools and counting.
“The Mayor has closed 140 schools, but still hasn’t closed the racial achievement gap and students are still no closer to graduating college-ready. Research shows that many new schools are performing worse than the schools they replaced– that is clear evidence of failure, which is why countless parents, teachers, principals, and students oppose school closures,” said Zakiyah Ansari, a spokeswoman for New Yorkers for Great Public Schools. “Mayor Bloomberg needs to own up to his failed policy and give struggling schools the resources and support they need to succeed.”
The current emphasis on mathematics and literacy test scores has created a detrimental effect on students’ education, especially in districts in which arts are cut out entirely. Organizations such as All Stars strides to remedy this problem by providing extra resources to minority and low income students.
