It has always been my focus, through 26 years of being an elementary teacher and principal, to encourage creativity, artistic expression, thinking, problem solving, and thinking outside the box. My greatest concern, with all schools focused on NCLB mandates, is that learning opportunities in the above areas have almost vanished. Yearly Academic Performance Index scores are 80% test scores and 20% attendance at the elementary level in Oklahoma and the tests students take are in reading and math. What’s tested is taught is pretty much it! In this system, most students will become proficient readers. I have many concerns related to mathematics but that’s another post.
I work with Oklahoma teachers in a consulting role and many report that they devote large blocks of instructional time to reading and math. They report some instruction in science and social studies but very little. Grade-level literacy has had a strong emphasis for years and guided reading groups are observable in many classrooms. Pressure for good API scores from the top down has resulted in districts, schools, and teachers focusing on this bottom line and the students are losing out.
The school where I taught and was principal was heavily involved in the arts and I know the impact that this culture has on students and their learning. I interacted with students from kindergarten through fifth grade and saw evidence of creativity and artistic expression in their art work and learning. Professional development focused on the arts and incorporating thinking, problem solving, and thinking outside the box into all curriculum areas. Artists-in-Residence worked with students and faculty every year in various art forms to provide new opportunities for us to stretch and grow. All students had an opportunity once a year to perform music and dance selections at a grade-level performance for family and friends. I had a young student tell me once, “I just love this school!” I responded, “I’m so glad you do. I just love this school too!” Wouldn’t it be extraordinary if a majority of students felt this way about the school they attended?
There are Oklahoma schools identified as A+ schools that are emphasizing the arts and have high API scores. Good schools have good leaders and ones who continue to keep ”what’s good for kids” at the center of their decisions. I have heard great things about them and I applaud their commitment to provide this kind of learning culture for the students they serve.
If you are interested in a good read in topics related to this post, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Daniel H. Pink’s “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.” After reading this book, I’m convinced that schools’ response to NCLB is cheating future generations of the richness and engaging context that the arts stimulate and provide for children.
Filed under: education
I think that there are some benefits to NCLB, but my real concern is that it has basically “scared” schools into teaching only test items. I think that one of the only ways that education is going to survive in this era of reports and testing is for schools to begin to realize that teaching math and reading only is not as effective as incorporating math and reading strategies in art, music, science, and social studies. We think that improving math and reading scores can only be done with more of a focus on math and reading classes. I don’t think that’s the case. It has to be relevant! Thanks for your post!
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