Arts programs slashed

Detroit News reports on the 'decimation' of once nationally recognized arts programs in Metro Detroit schools. Administrators have been pressured to make the cuts over the years due to declining revenues and increasing emphasis on math and reading scores:

Edison Principal Beverly Green put it this way: "When you've got $10 and need groceries, you buy staples first. That's what happened in Detroit."

Local nonprofit Art Road is trying to help by providing Arts educators to schools on a weekly  basis, but

Parents surveyed as part of last year's Agenda for Detroit Kids know their children do better in school when they have music and other arts programs to keep them stimulated. This is backed up by studies:

James S. Catterall in the 1990s tracked 12,000 California students from eighth grade to age 26. He found that kids who took band or orchestra in middle school and kept at it did 50 percent better in 11th-grade math than peers who never played an instrument.

Arts are crucial to development - how can our leaders make sure they have a place in our schools?

If you're interested in volunteering with or contributing to Art Road, information is available on their website.

(image via Georgia Sea Turtle Center)