Advocates say STEAM education–with an “a” for the arts–should trump STEM education

STEM-STEAMSTEM education is, by now, familiar to educators and parents across the country. Without STEM knowledge, students won’t be well-prepared to enter college and the workforce. But some are hoping that STEAM education, which includes the arts, will receive more support in classrooms.

According to research compiled by the University of Florida, students who engage in music education often perform better on math tasks. For instance, one study showed that students who took music appreciation scored 61 points higher on their SAT verbal section and 42 points higher on the SAT math section.

The most common elementary school arts subjects include music (94 percent) and visual arts (83 percent), with a few schools offering dance (3 percent) and theater (4 percent).

(Next page: Comparing STEM vs. STEAM research)

Despite an increased call for arts integration, 51 percent of art teachers say they are unhappy about a perceived decline in art education, which many attribute to an increased focus on test results and the subjects included in standardized tests.

Six percent of public elementary schools offer no specific music education, and 17 percent offer no specific visual arts instruction.

It’s true that STEM is crucial. Four out of five college students said they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier, and STEM helps students develop deductive reasoning, problem solving, and reasoning skills.

STEAM supporters say that adding arts into this focus will expand STEM’s benefits.

Ninety-three percent of Americans said they believe the arts are crucial when it comes to offering a well-rounded education to today’s students, and 86 percent said arts education helps improve children’s attitudes about school.

STEAM studies help develop and strengthen creativity and innovation skills, communication and collaboration, and flexibility and adaptability.

For resources aligned with each component of STEAM, click here.

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Laura Ascione

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