Art will be part of the learning program at the Skylight School for Justice. And we are committed to making it a regular part of instruction - not 45 minutes once a week, but a program with time and energy necessary to be productive.

In the race to build higher standardized test scores, school sacrificed their arts programs. We think that's a big mistake - nothing says, "Cut your arts programs and watch academic performance improve."

Comprehensive, innovative arts initiatives are taking root in a growing number of school districts. Many of these models are based on new findings in brain research and cognitive development, and they embrace a variety of approaches: using the arts as a learning tool; incorporating arts into other core classes; creating a school environment rich in arts and culture and hands-on arts instruction.