Monday, April 25, 2005

Florida Bill Attempts to Increase Art in Schools

I'm very happy that this bill passed in Florida. However, how many studies do we need to prove that arts have a positive effect on our lives? (That includes those who think they are artistically challenged!)

This is the story that appeared in the Daytona Beach News Journal:

TALLAHASSEE -- A bill that would require the Department of Education to study the link between arts courses and students' scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test passed the state House on Tuesday, (4/19/05) 114-0.
The bill -- the first sponsored by freshman Rep. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, to pass the House -- requires the department to prepare a report for the governor and the Legislature by Dec. 1. Hukill, a former music teacher, has said arts classes can promote greater academic achievement.
Limited classroom space and greater academic demands have led to a drop in enrollment in arts classes. For example, just 60 percent of elementary students had music classes in 2003, down from 85 percent in 1985. Legislative plans -- including a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Miami -- would require school boards to set policies guaranteeing sufficient time for arts courses and access to them.

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