Download CAE-Briefing-Yonkers-Arts-Education-Funding-Declines.pdf

Contents : THE CENTER FOR ARTS EDUCATION Research & Policy Briefing July 2011 The Center for Arts Education is committed to stimulating and sustaining quality arts education as an essential part of every child s education in the New York City public schools. CAE provides tools and resources to deliver quality arts learning for all children. Our innovative teaching and learning programs fostering collaboration with teachers and school leaders cultural and community organizations help build arts-infused school communities. Our advocacy initiatives educate policymakers and the public about the need for and value of arts education as an essential ingredient in a well-rounded education and a fundamental part of children s health and well-being. Author: Doug Israel Director of Research and Policy New Analysis Shows Funding for Arts Instruction Insufficient and on the Decline in Yonkers City Schools 8 of 10 Schools Say Arts Education Funding Insufficient--School Budget Gap Threatens Further Cuts KEY FINDINGS Almost eight out of every ten Yonkers public schools report that funding for arts education is insufficient and four out of ten report a decline in arts spending over the three most recent school years for which data is available according to a new analysis by The Center for Arts Education. The funding declines reported by schools date back to the 2006-2007 school year before the onset of the current recession and in a period during which funding for Yonkers public schools actually increased by 12 percent.1 With a looming $42 million budget gap for 20112012 the Yonkers Public School District is projecting that arts education programming in public middle and high schools will be significantly reduced which would have an impact on the ability of students to fulfill their graduation requirements and be adequately prepared for college and career. 2 The data in this briefing paper was collected for the first time in 2009 by the New York State Education Department as part of the required reporting through the Basic Education Data Survey (BEDS). This briefing paper is one in a series reporting on data from regions across the State of New York. Our analysis of the BEDS survey data from Yonkers reveals that: 77 percent of public schools report that funding for arts instruction is insufficient 42 percent report that funding has decreased over the past three school years Not one of the 38 schools that completed the survey reported "abundant" resources for the arts. The Center for Arts Education 14 Penn Plaza 225 W. 34th Street Suite 1112 New York NY 10122 P: 212-971-3300 F: 212.268.5266 www.caenyc.org 1. Bernard P. Pierorazio Superintendant of Yonkers Public Schools Proposed Budget Presentation 2011-2012 School Year April 14 2011 page 5. http://www.yonkerspublicschools.org/budget/1112/Yonkers-Challenge-041411.pdf 2. Yonkers Public Schools Impact of 2011-2012 Cuts to Public Education. Retrieved from website on June 23 2011. http://www.yonkerspublicschools.org/budget/1112/2011-2012-IMPACT-of-Cuts.pdf A PERFECT STORM FOR ARTS EDUCATION While history tells us that during difficult budget times the arts are often the first subject area to be cut from the school day the declines in funding for arts education in Yonkers public schools appears symptomatic of a larger trend away from the arts that is occurring in many schools statewide and throughout the country. Sixteen of 38 Yonkers public schools responding or 42 percent report arts education funding declines over the three school years for which data is available and 23 of 30 schools responding or 77 percent report insufficient funding for arts education overall. On first glance this would appear to be a sign of the economic times however this has occurred in a period during which overall school budgets in Yonkers have increased by 12 percent rising to $487 million for the 2009-2010 school year. National data reveals that a pronounced narrowing of the school curriculum has taken place since the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which places disproportionate weight on student achievement measured by state examinations in just two subject areas Math and English Language Arts. According to a 2007 national study 44% of districts reported cutting time on science social studies art and music physical education lunch or recess since the year NCLB was enacted. 3 The overemphasis on high-stakes testing combined with cuts to school and government budgets is creating a perfect storm threatening arts programming at schools across the country as budgets continue to decline the imbalances will likely be exacerbated. While funding alone does not guarantee that students are receiving a quality education spending declines in arts education are a bellwether of how the arts are faring in public schools. Reduced funding can compromise the delivery of arts instruction as long-standing partnerships with cultural

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