Arts in the Schools!! There are standards.  There are mandates.  Still, there are schools and school districts in New Jersey that do not have the required arts (either performing or fine) being taught in their schools.  The research is clear when it comes to social-emotional learning and the arts.  The research is clear, there is a correlation between English language arts and theatre.  The research is clear, there is a correlation between math and music programs.  The world can see the self-expression that comes through in a student's art product and the world realizes that dance is also physical exercise. 

School districts offer after-school activities or bring in artists in residence for a day or two, but that small gesture is not the same as having a full blown arts program, one that includes fine arts, theater arts, and dance) embedded into the school's curriculum. I believe that the funding is there, it just needs to be allocated.  Why is this not happening?  

Below are links to a few articles that may help you with your response.   

https://www.newjerseytitle1arts.org/

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2021/09/10/arts-ed-nj-debuts-video-beyond-the-boundaries-arts-education-through-a-pandemic/

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/nj-department-of-education-announces-statewide-student-art-project

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/arts/celebrate-doe-arts

 Recently in the news,  there has been more coverage on the push for "parental control" in education. On election day, voters across the country, including in New Jersey, voted to elect board members who had promised to work toward greater "parental control" in school districts.  Even some who ran for governor vowed to allow more "parental control," like in Virginia and New Jersey. The reason for this is because certain people believe education needs a setback to the "basics" and that parent input could be the answer. If parents were to be given greater"parental control" what do think the future of our education system would look like? Do you think ur students would benefit from more "parental control" in education,  or would that hinder education, based on what we've learned in this class?  How much parental involvement do you think our education system needs?

Here are some recent articles about "parental control" and a study on too much parental involvement: 

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2021/11/05/school-board-parental-control-vote-nj-election-day/6282115001/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/youngkin-pledged-more-parental-control-of-education-but-changes-face-opposition/2021/11/03/fdc83a1a-3be8-11ec-8ee9-4f14a26749d1_story.html

https://news.stanford.edu/2021/03/11/study-reveals-impact-much-parental-involvement/