Across the country, art and music programs in schools are being squeezed by contracting budgets and the demands of No Child Left Behind, which places the curricular focus on reading and math. Devotees of these programs are fighting back with letter-writing campaigns and a website, http://www.supportmusic.com/index-home.html. One high school band recently took to the steps of the Utah capitol to protest cuts in arts and music education funding in that state. (Their tactic: Playing "Smoke on the Water," a 1972 hit by the band Deep Purple.) Gadfly is of two minds on the subject. We've talked about the curricular distortions that are apt to be an unintended consequence of NCLB [see http://www.edexcellence.net/gadfly/issue.cfm?issue=22#114] and how music, art, or some other focus can be a useful way of schools distinguishing themselves and adding to the education choices available to parents. But we can't help but notice that there is little in the way of serious accountability for the millions of dollars districts spend every year on art, music, drama, and related subjects. Of one thing we are certain, however: Any band that emulates Deep Purple deserves to be defunded.
"Mullen: 'No frills' education just jargon for churning out drones," by Holly Mullen, Salt Lake City Tribune, July 17, 2003
"Basic skills forcing cuts in art classes," by David M. Herszenhorn, New York Times, July 23, 2003
"Final stanza for music?" by Ben Feller, Associated Press, July 22, 2003