Argument Essay: The Role Of The Arts In Education

What constitutes being "well rounded"? In the American public school system today, we strive to produce well rounded students who are ready to take on the world and the challenges that it has to offer. Throughout elementary school, decisions are made for you as to what educational experiences you will come into contact with. As an American student enters the average middle school, they begin to have some choices pertaining to the classes that they partake in, however, their options are very limited. Once in high school, the educational opportunities really start to open up, with the potential for exposure to many topic areas not previously experienced becoming available. In college, if one chooses to pursue his or her education that far, the opportunity only broadens. Throughout all these levels of education, there are core, or required classes. These classes include math, science, and English. At the elementary school level, they also encompass music and art. The arts are a very …show more content…
They truly do contribute to a well rounded individual. Participation in studies of the arts helps to expand the amount of learning that a student is exposed to, which is almost a universally good thing. Much of modern and ancient history is imbued with some form of art or another. Similarly, art can be cross applied to other disciplines. There is a form of art in math and science, and that kind of artistic thinking can help one succeed in those disciplines. The arts could also provide extra-curricular outlets for those who may not be athletically or competitively inclined. These are just examples coming from my head. I 'm sure there are many, many more instances where experience with music, art, or drama can help one advance themselves. There have probably been some extensive studies done on the topic. The pro-art people do have some valid points on its validity in public schools, but unlike many, I do not believe them to be a