Tamia Jones

Samuel Hackworth

ENGL 102/119

2 May 2016

Despite the known positive effects of music education/arts, why do these programs constantly face budget cuts?

I went to public school before coming to college and music played a large part in my academic career as there was not one year from kindergarten to 12th grade where I did not have a music class. Starting in middle school, we began fundraisers because of the school's budget not being able to pay for many things for us. These fundraisers were allocated toward the payment of instruments, to repair them, to pay for music and for band festival trips. I am interested in this research question because I would like to know what happens behind the scenes of when deciding which program in public schools gets cut. I am interested to know if some sort of politics may be involved even though all programs in schools are for the betterment of the students. This research question speaks to me because I will always stand for the inclusion of music education in a child's life. Many children are robbed of this and it just leaves room to wonder: what if? What if they were awarded the same opportunity I was and being blessed with such amazing music teachers, one of whom has provided them with leadership opportunities and taught them many things about how the world beyond high school functions. I feel that I am qualified to write about this topic because I have been a music student for as long as I can remember and still appreciate learning to play new music at any time. 

Catherina Hulburt writes an article stating that the Every Child Achieves Act was passed by the Senate in 2015. The purpose of this act is to ensure that all children despite their socioeconomic status can experience the positive effects music education has to offer. This act acknowledges that music and the arts are core subjects which allows for the addressing of curriculum under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 which has made children's studies be more focused on reading and math. This article is very invested in the expansion of music education for those who would not normally have the means to access it. This article is highlighting how far the topic of music education is going. Getting an act passed by the Senate shows its importance and how senators agree that action needs to be taken. She is speaking for the National Association for Music Education. She is credible because she is writing about an action done by the government but, she is biased because she has holds in one of the biggest music education advocate organizations. 

Peter Greene claims that people should stop defending music education. He says that the main defense of music education is to keep its programs alive because it is for the benefit of other things like standardized test scores. He claims that the constant defending is sad to hear and that music is so amazing on its own that programs do not need to be defended. Peter Greene is a teacher and a musician himself so he understands and empathizes with the pressure that many music programs are under. I agree with him partially, music is wonderful on its own; but what other option is there when no one seems to be listening to it? But he believes that constant defending and therefore getting people in power involved is not helping the situation. Peter Greene is a teacher and musician which gives him credibility when he is giving his opinion on this topic because he has personal experience with the subject. The source is Huffington post's education webpage. Greene's bias is odd to analyze because he is doing the opposite of what an educator would say. However, he may be biased toward speaking about the topic, despite his positon, because he is a teacher. 

A new article I found is by Siandhara Bonnet; she is talking about the "Battle of the Budgets" between fine arts and sports. In particular, the article is concerning the state of Texas. There are comparisons of purchasing new uniforms and the social, academic, or emotional benefits of the programs, or lack thereof benefits. It is explained that although both programs may receive budget cuts, the sports program budgets are usually larger than that of fine arts which gives the fine arts programs a disadvantage from the beginning. This article is stating that both programs do need their budgets but sometimes the fine arts budgets are cut before the sports and it is not fair. Therefore, this article can be seen as opinionated. But, Siandhara Bonnet is a staff writer and her background is unknown.  Therefore, her personal bias is unknown and she appears to be just breaking down the basis of people's argument. But, this can enhance her credibility because she does not give her definite stance on the issue.

This research question can argue the points that schools may only care about the "core" classes being funded because they are the most important for the purpose of test scores. On the other side of the spectrum, someone may argue that sports programs deserve more funding because it is more entertaining to the masses. Sports events are highly televised and by perception it seems that athletes are given more scholarships toward college than musicians. These sources agree that music education has many benefits but Peter Greene does not think that music education programs need so much saving and defending. Peter Greene's argument opened my eyes the most as I did not think about the effects, if there are any, of constant defending. If the inclusion of both aspects of the topic does not work, I might focus on the social or funding aspects instead of both. 

Works Cited

Bonnet, Siandhara. "Fine Arts vs Sports: The Battle of the Budgets." lhsroar. Flex Word Press, 13 February 2013. Web. 4 February 2016. 

Green, Peter. "Stop 'Defending' Music Education." Huffposteducation. Huffington Post, 11 June 2015. Web. 4 February 2016.

Hurlburt, Catherina. "Senate Passes Every Child Achieves Act, with Music and Arts as Core Subjects, Intact." nafme. National Association for Music Education, 16 July 2015. Web. 27 January 2016. 

Wynne, Sharon Kennedy. "'Mythbusters' star: Bring back band, shop class if you want better test scores." tampabay. Tampa Bay Times, 15 April 2015. Web. 27 January 2016.
