Arts education will keep California students in school and prepare them for careers
Research shows that students who participate in visual and performing arts in school do better academically, socially, emotionally and, eventually, economically.
Despite a longstanding state law requiring California’s public schools to provide arts education, only 38 percent of students have access to music, dance, theatre or visual arts classes. Compounding this injustice, students with little or no access live predominantly in low-income communities. This isn't right and it's time to fix it.
I have introduced Senate Bill 933, which would begin to close the access gap by creating a statewide grant program to help districts struggling to provide arts instruction. Through a carefully designed competitive process, this one-time investment of as much as $50 million will also aid districts with a demonstrated commitment to arts education.
