Research has repeatedly shown the important connections between an arts education and student success in school, career, and life. Despite this, only 44 percent of students in San Mateo County receive some arts education at the secondary level, and only 36 percent of students from households with low incomes have this opportunity.
The California Department of Education encourages educators to celebrate the importance of arts education during March in a recognition of Arts Education/Youth Art Month. March is a great month for educators to engage with families, communities, and education leaders on how important access to arts education is for ALL students in our schools. This is true now more than ever before with the recent passage of Proposition 28, which provides a steady funding stream for arts education.
The San Mateo County Office of Education believes the visual, performing, and media arts are essential to student success in education and in life. Each and every student deserves equitable opportunities to explore creativity and learn about their own rich historical narrative. Research shows that for students who have been historically underserved, access to a rich arts education program results in improved outcomes including better grades and increased rates of college enrollment and overall achievement and success.