Sunday, February 3, 2008

Education and the Arts

Who is the only presidential candidate who talks consistently about the importance of the arts in education? I checked out all of the websites, and only one even mentioned it in his/her list of the "issues."

From the website:
  • I believe that every child should have the opportunity for a quality education that teaches the fundamental skills needed to compete in a global economy.
  • Music and the arts are not extraneous, extra-curricular, or expendable - I believe they are essential.
  • Our future economy depends on a creative generation.
Click here to find out. I can't believe more people aren't listening. (Well, I can, and maybe I will tell why in the comments. But I don't want to ruin the surprise.) I'm not totally on board with any one candidate yet, and I have been reading material put out by each candidate, listening to debates for both parties, and trying to make up my mind. I have pretty big issues with No Child Left Behind and the general focus on science and math in our schools to the detriment of the arts and humanities. Who knew this candidate would be on my side of this issue?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I burst out laughing when I clicked over.

Katie W. said...

dammit. That's not what I was expecting. Good stuff though.
Hee hee..."Weapons of Mass Instruction."

I, too am wraslin' with this presidential thing...as a SuperTuesday participant, I better start reading more!

Anonymous said...

Yeah, if only the REST of what he says didn't stick in my craw....That said, I love that so many of us are awake to the process this time around - it's exciting.

Allison said...

I was expecting Obama, so this was a pleasanter surprise, though I still can't vote for Huck.

I think he always has great little one-liners and a nice way of putting things -- I think it's the SB preacher in him. He always knows how to say something that will get your attention or make you smile, and he almost always has 3 points.

And though I appreciate his support of math and the arts, I still think we need more emphasis on how privatization would effect the educational system. I think it would be for the better, but that's just me. I grew up in the public schools and taught in them for two years, but right now I'm highly favoring homeschooling or private ed (if we can afford it) for our son. That's why I like the idea of tax credits...

bluemountainmama said...

i agree with allison on privatization and tax rebates. that's something ron paul supports. his philosophy is that the public schools should be accountable to the parents, not federal beaurocrats.

i agree with him on lots of other things and will be voting for him. it's just a shame his ideas are not getting any air time.

i also wanted to invite you, 2square, to participate in 'blogging for appalachia' week this week. you can go to my site to find out more. i appreciate all your help in spreading the word about MTR so far....

Julie Pippert said...

I knew it wasn't Obama or Hillary.

I did have a chuckle. No, I haven't checked out Huckabee closely because I think he's nuts.

But you know from my many long-winded posts what I think about the state of public education, how it's one of my top issues and I am thoroughly disgusted it's not being prioritized, and what I think about arts in education.

In short, I think the arts are essential and I am so appalled by the state of public schools I don't know if we can continue in one.