https://musedialogue.org A journal for contemplation and discussion of the arts Sun, 29 Dec 2013 14:34:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ https://musedialogue.org/articles-by-genre/artsandlife/arts-families-and-children-vol1/the-pavlova-effect-an-argument-for-equal-access-to-arts-education/#comment-35 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:07:29 +0000 https://musedialogue.org/?page_id=286#comment-35 As parents, we all want to believe each child is special. Even Congress acknowledged that all children deserve “access to a quality education”…even as the best means of delivering such remains a topic of great debate. In the debate between funding quality education in both “public” and “private” schools (using vouchers), many parents have discovered that within some private school models for education, “school choice” is a double edged sword, allowing students and parents “freedom” to choose… yet also allowing schools freedom to indiscriminately reject many students, or an arts curriculum altogether, at the “behest” of paying “customers” or simply to fund athletics in their stead. This often happens without even having allowed many potentially talented and dedicated students to try. Fact is, the Pittsburgh CAPA model for education simply works, and substantiates many national studies which clearly illustrate that arts education reinforces better attendance; a better academic work ethic; higher test scores; higher rates of graduation; and a greater likelihood of students continuing into higher education (college). As recognized by the First Lady in 2009, Pittsburgh’s Public School CAPA 6-12 is a great example of success, in a district that is otherwise struggling. At Pittsburgh CAPA, “No Child Left Behind” has been properly tempered with “Yes We Can!” But now it may take even more. To keep its funding will require a bipartisan commitment by Pittsburgh area voters first, and then by our elected officials, all of whom must stay committed to expand what works in public education and put aside what fails. True, private schools must do this to remain competitive. Yet continued erosion of quality public schools may not precipitate expansion of a private school system quickly enough to serve the vast majority of area students (at an affordable tuition), thus leaving them “waiting” not for Superman… but for the free market to catch up with reality.

]]> https://musedialogue.org/articles-by-genre/artsandlife/arts-families-and-children-vol1/the-pavlova-effect-an-argument-for-equal-access-to-arts-education/#comment-34 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:18:03 +0000 https://musedialogue.org/?page_id=286#comment-34 [...] The Pavlova Effect: An Argument for Equal Access to Arts Education [...]

]]> https://musedialogue.org/articles-by-genre/artsandlife/arts-families-and-children-vol1/the-pavlova-effect-an-argument-for-equal-access-to-arts-education/#comment-33 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:21:45 +0000 https://musedialogue.org/?page_id=286#comment-33 Thank you so very much for speaking up for all of us who care about fair and equal excellence in arts education being made accessible for all!!!

]]> https://musedialogue.org/articles-by-genre/artsandlife/arts-families-and-children-vol1/the-pavlova-effect-an-argument-for-equal-access-to-arts-education/#comment-29 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:53:07 +0000 https://musedialogue.org/?page_id=286#comment-29 Amen!! You can count my daughter among the ones with potential who may never find what they are capable of due to financial reasons. CAPA was an option we were considering to see who she may become — without it she will become something she may not have been meant to be. Great article.

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