Fine arts classes should be a requirement to graduate

High school should be the place where someone learns who they are and what they want to do. Once you reach college or the workforce, deciding to change your major or career path can become a hassle and can cost thousands of dollars. 

That’s what makes high school so important. It’s the last place before adulthood where you can explore wildly different areas and interests with borderline impunity.

I knew nothing about music when I entered high school,but during my freshman year of high school, I found myself in a choir class that I truly enjoyed.

I thought music would remain just a hobby until my teacher paid me three sausage pizzas to take on the role of Aaron Samuels in my school's production of Mean Girls.

Somewhere on that stage, I found my passion that would drive me from high school to where I am now, majoring in music education. 

People do not need to be forced into a multitude of fine arts credits, but I believe even one-half of a credit is enough to convince people to join the fine arts community.

Not everyone will fall in love with the fine arts like I did, but I think everyone can learn something from it.

According to the University of Southern California, “Researchers found that students participating in multiple forms of music education and for longer periods of time scored higher in measures for competence and hopeful future expectations.” 

While the study focused on middle school students, it highlighted the benefits that music education can provide to all students.

Requiring students to complete a fine arts program at each level of K-12 education would help to ensure that student retention increases annually.

According to Alaska Public Media, Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School had to close its band program because of budget cuts in the Anchorage School District, and it’s not the only one.

The choir program that made me fall in love with fine arts at Wasilla High School nearly closed but was saved by a teacher who taught a different subject and was qualified to teach music.

I’ve met a couple of teachers who graduated from UAA and are now teaching in the Anchorage School District. Some of them are travelling between two or three different schools teaching music and fine arts courses.

Requiring teachers to split their time between multiple schools creates hectic schedules and can leave students waiting for instruction while their teacher is commuting.

Some argue about the power of fine arts as an elective, but making them a graduation requirement would incentivize students to be more engaged in their education. 

In my experience, many fine arts programs offer beginner-level classes that lower the barrier to entry for students who have little to no experience. 

Students who find school miserable could find refuge in a fine arts class.

Everyone can find value in a fine arts class, but many may not have that opportunity when it is made optional. 

Requiring students to take a fine arts class at each level of K-12 education would give them the opportunity to learn and connect with the arts and other students, even if they never take another fine arts class again.