Action Research: Where Is Our Art?

Succumbing to the pressures on schools to raise scores on reading and math tests, other subjects are getting short-shrifted.  What happens when kids lack minimal exposure to the arts?

Discussion Questions

1. How does a principal encourage creativity in instruction and at the same time hold his staff accountable for delivering the requirements of his district?
2. What impact does cutting arts programs, particularly in under-performing inner city schools, have on students?
3. Should teachers ignore the mandates from principals and their districts in order to deliver instruction in a way that they feel best serves the children in their classroom?
4. How can teachers organize and advocate for the arts in urban under-performing schools?
5. Do higher test scores in math and reading truly demonstrate that learning has occurred?
6. How could the NCLB mandate be changed to address more areas of learning such as the arts?
7. Is it a fair proposition to allow some teachers curricular freedom to utilize their instructional time in a way they feel best, while holding others to a strict district-wide program?