Education First

The face of schooling has changed over the years. From learning at home from ones family, to one room school houses that served as the classroom for children of many ages, to schools housed in massive buildings where students have access to resources that used to be reserved for the finest universities, schools have constantly evolved throughout contemporary history. Today we are witnessing a reversal of that trend as more and more students find themselves out of the public schools and back at home receiving a home school education.

There are many reasons that parents may opt to provide their children with a home school education. Some parents prefer a home school education because public schools are not legally allowed to provide religious guidance and instruction. Other parents may believe that a home school education can provide higher and more stringent academic standards, or a safer learning environment than the public schools can offer. For others, a home school education is the best option because the parents travel extensively, or the child has special needs that are best met at home. For those reasons, and many more, home school education is a booming business that is gaining momentum with each passing year.

For those who are considering home school education, and those who are already engaged in that endeavor, there are several factors on which to focus. Public schools offer more than just academic instruction, and a good home school education needs to fill those gaps in order to be most effective.

Socialization is a primary concern of many parents who provide a home school education for their children. While students can learn the Three Rs at public school or at home, they also need to learn how to share, listen, take turns, and get along with others. Students who are receiving a home school education are often enrolled in clubs, sports, and other extra curricular activities that will help develop the childs socialization skills.

Educational resources are another element of education in which home school education must strive to match the level of the public schools. Public libraries, internet, and specialized home school education publishers and curriculums can help parents provide an adequate and effective home school education for their children.

Ultimately what matters most is that our children are educated. Recent studies show that children receiving a home school education perform as well, and in many cases better, than their counterparts in public and private schools on standardized tests. That success has continued even after students leave the comfort of a home school education and move on to colleges and universities. Parents who feel that their education options are lacking might consider a home school education. It could be the best fit for their child and their familys needs.

Art programs, such as art appreciation, drama, theater and music, have been suffering across the nation for 30 years, as school officials concentrate on the basics of learning. With federal programs, such as No Child Left Behind, even more focus has been placed on basic learning skills, which excludes the arts. This also means that any extra funding is funneled into these basic learning programs in order to meet state and federal-set standards. Arts education is one of the standards that should be met by schools within the state of California, yet the state does not impose penalties on schools that do not met these particular standards.

A statewide survey by SRI International concluded that of the 1,123 schools surveyed:

89 percent failed to meet state standards for arts education;
Nearly 13 offered no art education coursework that met state standards;
61 percent had no full-time arts specialist, with classroom teachers without adequate training teaching arts education at the elementary level;
Kindergarten through 12 enrollment in music classes declined by 37 percent over a five-year period, ending last June; and
Poor schools have the least access to arts education; whereas better income schools (where parents can afford private lessons) are more apt to have it.

Chris Funk is the San Jose schools principal of Lincoln High School, a stellar magnet arts school. He believes that the more San Jose schools students are exposed to the arts the better they will do in testing within other coursework.

Studies have proven that a strong arts program can be linked to improvement in everything from math skills to truancy. Arts education in elementary and secondary schools produce skilled sculptors, actors, musicians, singers and so many other arts-related careers. The arts also improve the socialization skills of students.

Bill Eriendson, assistant superintendent of the San Jose schools, stated that the level of funding for the arts is inadequate. Last year, the state budgeted 500 million for the arts and physical education; however, this amount was a one-time deal. The norm is 105 million, which is about 15 per student. According to Eriendson, the San Jose schools requires about 800,000 to restore just their music programs at the elementary San Jose schools. This figure does not include the purchase of instruments.

San Jose schools are a good representation of the statewide findings. Besides trying to meet state and federal standards in the basic coursework, the San Jose schools were hit with Proposition 13 that was passed in 1978, which imposed tax cuts for Californians and greatly reduced funding for arts education. The arts were first cut in the secondary San Jose schools and then in the elementary San Jose schools. By the late 1980s, arts education was all but gone in the San Jose schools.

According to Funk, there currently is a waiting list of 225 San Jose schools students. He finds San Jose schools students are drawn to the dance, theater, music and visual arts programs offered by his school. Without the support of the Lincoln Foundation, which donated 75,000 for this school year, this San Jose schools arts magnet would not exist.