THE WHITE HOUSE AT WORK
Friday, June 16,
2000
PRESIDENT CLINTON:
ENCOURAGING SUPPORT OF ARTS AND MUSIC
EDUCATION
"Learning improves in school environments where there are
comprehensive music and arts programs. They increase the ability of young
people to do math. They increase the ability of young people to read. And most
important of all, they're a lot of fun."
President Bill Clinton
Friday, June 16, 2000
Today, in East Harlem, NY, President Clinton visited a public
elementary school to highlight the importance of music education as part of
"VH1 Save The Music Today!" week. The President underscored his commitment to
music and art education and their role in helping students achieve their full
potential. In addition, the VH1 Save the Music Foundation announced a major
donation to restore music education in New York City public schools.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC AND ARTS EDUCATION.
President Clinton visited PS 96, a formerly low-performing school that has
turned itself around with smaller class sizes, after-school programs, school
uniforms, and more parental involvement, and is now greatly expanding its music
education program. During his visit, the President highlighted that a
comprehensive music education is a valuable tool in improving academic
performance. Research has shown that involvement in music and arts programs:
- improves a child's early cognitive development;
- boosts basic math and reading abilities;
- raises self-esteem;
- encourages self-discipline, ability to work in teams, spatial
reasoning skills, and school attendance;
- increases the likelihood of graduating from high school and
attending college; and
- discourages involvement with gangs and substance abuse.
The President encouraged support for Save the Music, a
non-profit initiative to restore music education programs in America's public
schools and raise awareness of the positive impact music participation has on
students. Since its inception in 1997, Save The Music has supported more than
120,000 children in music education programs, with the goal of restoring these
programs for one million children over the next ten years.
A RECORD OF PROMOTING ARTS IN EDUCATION. Over the past 7
½ years, the Clinton-Gore Administration has worked to give visibility
to the importance of the arts in children's education, including the following:
- In 1994, fought for the inclusion of strong, supportive language
about the importance of arts education in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act
and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;
- In 1995, created the Arts Education Partnership, a coalition of
over 120 non-profit arts and education organizations to promote research and
advocacy and give valuable information to parents and educators about the
positive effects of arts education;
- As part of the new 21st Century Community Learning Program,
encouraged after-school programs to involve students in arts activities - over
the last four years, this program has increased from $1 million to $450
million;
- In 1998, reinstated the arts in the National Assessment of
Educational Progress and found that instruction in the arts, including music,
improved student performance; and
- Under the First Lady's leadership, released two important reports
by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities highlighting successful
in-school and out-of-school programs for students in the arts.
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