A new report found that arts education is lacking in New York City schools.
Credit: Colourbox
A new report paints a dire portrait of arts education in New York City schools.
The “State of the Arts” report, released by Comptroller Scott Stringer Monday, found arts education lacking citywide, with the shortage disproportionately affecting some of the lowest-income communities.
Overall, one in five city schools don’t have a full- or part-time certified arts teacher, despite a state law requiring that middle and high school students receive arts instruction from a certified teacher, according to the report’s analysis of data from last year. The report also found 10 percent of schools have no dedicated arts room.
The deficiency is worse in low-income areas like the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn, where the report found more than 42 percent of schools don’t have full- or part-time certified arts teachers.
Stringer’s office attributed the findings to decreases in funding.
“With new leadership at City Hall and at the DOE, we have a unique opportunity to make arts education equal for all – by defining the challenges that currently exist and coming up with lasting solutions to move our city forward,” Stringer said in a statement.
Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said the city will work to provide schools with support to offer art classes for students.
“A well-rounded education that encourages creativity in tandem with a broad range of knowledge and skills is critical for our students’ success in the classroom and beyond,” Fariña said in a statement.
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