A metro Detroit state senator has proposed a bill that would require music and art education to be regularly part of the K-5 curriculum.
Sen. Erika Geiss, a Democrat from Taylor, cited a recent student that found higher academic achievement in core subjects for students with regular access to art and music education.
"Music and art education have, time and again, proven to benefit students by enhancing and complementing what traditional subjects achieve. As we teach the younger generation to be innovative and thoughtful leaders, instruction in music and the arts should be an integral part of the public-school experience," Geiss said in a statement.
Senate Bill 804 would require 90 minutes of music and 90 minutes of art instruction per week with certified teachers in each subject area. It also would require districts to have a separate, dedicated budget for music and art, and the legislature provide funding for additional costs.
“We should be expanding our students’ abilities to think outside the box by teaching them skills that enable them to both better understand themselves and collaborate with others — which is exactly what music and the arts do. The creativity that is innate in music and art education strengthens critical thinking skills and allows for a deeper level of engagement as kids interact with the world around them.”
The bill was referred to the Senate Education Committee.
