Under the sub-heading "Sound of Music", the subject of chidren's IQs being affected by music__ as in "The Mozart Effect" and when creating artworks__ is further reinforced.
In 2005, the Gooding, Idaho School District, due to lack of funding, had to cancel art and music lessons in the elementary grades. The usual funds had to be used for academic subjects so that the children would raise their standings in the Bush Administration's "No Child Left Behind" program, requiring children to be regularly tested and to produce test scores that showed improvement every year, or the school would lose its federal and state funding for all classes.
This was particularly difficult because in this geographical area of Idaho, classes consist of one-third hispanic students with little or no English language skills, one-third mentally, emotionally or physically challenged students and the remaining one-third, ordinary students. Very little improvement was shown in the test scores, which had the school board, administration, teachers and parents greatly concerned. Not only were the scores disappointing, but with only academic subjects being taught, the students were either mentally over-loaded, bored or both. Things got worse.
Social studies teacher and coach in the Middle School, Jeff La Croix agreed to serve as principal in a newly planned "after-school-program" for the elementary grades starting in January, 2006. Using both teachers on staff and community volunteers, several classes were made available, including one on drama and another on drawing, this last taught by members of the local art guild. The drawing class became so popular, they had a waiting list twice as long as the number of desks available in the art classroom. Parents, students and teachers soon began praising the results of this new program, particularly, the art classes, which was limited to only 2nd through 4th graders.
The happy news is that at the next testing period, even academic scores began to rise, and continued to do so, showing a 37% increase by the end of the year for the elementary students. It proved that creative chal-lenges and problem-solving activities actually do raise IQs and keep both sides of the brain active. (See P.M.H. Atwater's website: www.pmhatwater.com
Plans are now being made to offer the after-school arts, music, dance, drama, etc. program all year long, and to increase the time spent from 2 to 4 hours each week. Middle School students will also have their specialized programs, and even the month-long mornings of summer school will offer the choices of afternoon creative activities.
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