In her April 4 column, Anne Fawcett recognized the importance of arts programs in preparing wealthy students for college, but she made the statement that art programs "are not components of a strong basic education." She claims that funding for arts programs deprives students of other educational opportunities.
Evidently Ms. Fawcett did not participate in any arts programs in high school. Student fund raising funds most arts programs almost entirely. As a student of Wake County schools, one of the wealthiest school systems in the state, I spent countless hours selling candy and fruit to raise money for band class. I had to pay hundreds of dollars each year to be in a class while extracurricular programs, such as football, were funded entirely by the school and PTA.
As the child of an elementary school principal, I am aware of the inequalities in public schools, but eliminating arts will not solve the problem. Arts programs are vital to education. Students involved in music and drama programs consistently score higher on standardized test than students not involved in the programs. Students involved in the arts are more likely to go to college than other students. Arts programs, if properly funded and managed, can help all students achieve more, regardless of social or economic status.
Please let the children of today enjoy the arts the way so many students at Carolina did in elementary, middle, and high school.
Molly Jarman
Freshman
Biology
