Time to celebrate the arts in schools

For decades, research has shown that when students participate in the arts as a part of their education, they go on to succeed in school, work and life.

Designated by Congress in 2010, the week beginning with the second Sunday in September, is National Arts in Education Week: a national celebration of the transformative power of the arts in education.

We thank and acknowledge our arts educators, teaching artists and arts resources in DuPage for the important work they do throughout the year and encourage all supporters of arts, culture, and education to join with us in applauding their contributions to education and our community.

Recently, in Washington, D.C., the new Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into law, replacing No Child Left Behind. This new bill fully supports the arts as a core element of every student's "well-rounded" education. It provides the flexibility for students to learn creatively and for local districts and states to create schools that embrace the arts.

What we know is simple: students attend school more often when they have access to the arts, parents and families engage with the schools when schools embrace the arts, dropout rates decrease, grades increase, and the halls are filled with artwork, songs, drama and dancing.

And, we are not alone in this belief. According to a recent public opinion poll, released in March, nine out of 10 Americans believe that the arts are essential to a student's comprehensive education.

So as we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, Sept. 11-17, we should pause to recognize the art educators and arts-in-education programs that offer DuPage students the best of a thorough and compelling education.

Lisa Tylke

Director, Arts DuPage