In today’s educational landscape, the relentless focus on standardized testing has often overshadowed the importance of holistic learning experiences, particularly in the realm of arts education. This is where a network of public charter schools in New York City, known as Ascend Learning, is making significant strides—transforming the educational experience one artistic endeavor at a time.
According to a report by journalist Mia Carter in the Atlantic, Ascend operates a school in Brownsville, Brooklyn, one of the city’s most economically challenged areas. The initiative, led by CEO Jason L. Rivers, aims to create an arts-centric educational environment that not only prepares students for college but also equips them with essential life skills. Rivers emphasizes that students from neighborhoods like Brownsville often face cultural disorientation when they reach higher education; hence, incorporating arts into the curriculum fosters creativity—a skill highly valued in today’s job market.
In an environment dominated by high-stakes testing, funding for arts programs frequently takes a backseat, with schools prioritizing reading and math drills. However, the new Common Core standards advocate for the arts, referencing them around 75 times and urging students to engage with and create various forms of artistic expression. While some schools may be cutting back on arts funding, Ascend is flipping the script by placing it at the forefront.
Rivers’ vision extends to the physical design of the schools, which are intended to resemble art galleries. The walls are adorned with high-quality reproductions of classic artworks, and the curriculum seamlessly weaves together arts and academics. For instance, fifth graders might delve into Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” as part of a broader discussion on themes like slavery and colonialism, while utilizing Pieter Bruegel’s “Landscape With the Fall of Icarus” to explore the Icarus myth. Rather than relying on passages crafted solely for standardized tests, seventh graders engage with the works of Emily Dickinson and Henry David Thoreau as part of their test preparation.
Rivers aspires to showcase that a rigorous arts education is achievable across all public schools, although Ascend allocates a more considerable portion of its budget to facilities than many others can afford. This necessitates trade-offs, such as larger class sizes. Nonetheless, any initiative that reimagines schools to be less reminiscent of prisons—where barred windows are common—will likely be welcomed by parents and could lead to a more enjoyable learning atmosphere. As the demand from parents and educators grows to reduce the emphasis on standardized assessments, it’s possible that more schools will follow suit, prioritizing enriching literary works over test preparation.
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In summary, Ascend Learning’s innovative approach to education highlights the importance of integrating arts into the curriculum, challenging conventional educational norms and paving the way for a more enriching school environment.