Students were asked whether or not the arts should be mandatory in my personal opinion students should at least have to take one art elective. Five students said yes and five said no.  

When people think of the arts they usually think of art class or music but there are many other classes that fall into the arts category such as literature, media arts, foreign language, or theater. There have been many studies saying the arts are important and can increase a student’s abilities for other classes. Students who study art are said to be four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievements. In countries where art and music classes are mandatory test scores in science and math are higher than countries where the arts aren’t mandatory.                              

 Third, Fourth, and fifth grade students who were taught a foreign language everyday scored higher on their basic skills test than students who were never introduced to the subject. The No Child Left Behind Act states that the arts are a core academic subject. In recent studies adults who took an art elective are proven to have better reaction times and concentration then adults who didn’t take an art elective. Even though the arts are proven to improve academic skills they are still being cut down because of budget cuts.    

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Many students believe that taking an art elective has helped how they perform in other classes. Megan Pecjak said, “In chorus we didn’t have to stress so much. It was like a break.” When students are stressed out they don’t always do as good in school as what they would usually do, so for Pecjak in chorus she was able to collect her thoughts and stop stressing for a while.    “Because I took writing classes I feel like it helped me get better grades in ELA” said Brianna Varesko. A big part of ELA is writing so since Varesko already took writing classes it helped her get good grades in that class.

If students are not introduced to the arts how are they to know if they would enjoy that career path. Just like trying new foods a lot of people don’t eat new foods because they think they won’t like it but how are they to know if they don’t try. If students never take a class considered to be part of the arts they won’t know if they like it or not. They need that experience to carry on with them for the rest of their life.

“If I never took an art class I wouldn’t know that when I’m older I want to go into the arts field,” said Morgan West.

A big part of school is to introduce students to things they might want to do when they are older, so if they don’t take and art elective then they wont be able to find any interest in the arts field. For the people who know they want to go into the arts need those classes to not only teach them but for them to make sure that’s what they want to do.

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it,” said Kurt Vonnegut.

Art is a way for people to express themselves, something young people struggle with all the time. In high school is when people start to figure out who they are and what they want to be. Art is a good way to show others the kind of person they are or to express what they want to come across as. High school can be a confusing time in someones life but with art it can help with figuring out some difficulties.