On June 17, 2019 NPR radio station KPCC hosted a public forum on the ways schools and school districts can fund arts education programs. To start the evening, Mark Slavkin, Director of Education at The Wallis, was asked to provide an overview of school funding in California and the implications for arts education. The event shared the stories of three school districts – Burbank, Chula Vista, and Mountain View – as they have increased their investments in recent years. The question and answer session addressed some of the issues and challenges faced by arts advocates.
These points emerged in the discussion:
- Limits on property taxes established by Proposition 13 in 1978 make California more dependent on state funding for education, constraining overall school spending.
- The primary problem is not that no one has arts education. Many schools are thriving. The problem is the kids who need it the most receive the least.
- In the lowest performing schools, the belief system, not money, is the biggest barrier.
- Too many educators have not experienced arts programs as part of the solution to low student engagement and achievement.
- School budgets, not charitable donations, should be the primary funding source for arts education programs.
- Ongoing advocacy is essential at the school site and school district levels.
You may see the entire event here:
https://www.scpr.org/events/2019/06/17/2728/the-art-of-getting-creative-in-education-a-convers/