Intersections between School Reform, the Arts, and Special Education: The Children Left Behind

Overview & Synopsis

Arts education and special education within public schools have faced similar challenges in the wake of school reform. Services and programming have been reduced, leaving a larger gap in resources and accessibility. Because of loopholes in policy, new reform initiatives such as vouchers and charter schools will continue to marginalize students with exceptionalities, minorities, and students in poverty, as well as arts and humanities programs. Recommendations to reduce this gap include an alliance between arts, humanities, and special education organizations in order to create a stronger voice for advocacy and accessibility. In addition, the author recommends that charter schools and private schools that use federal and state dollars (e.g., voucher programs) should be subject to federal special education law and required to offer arts programs. Admission to charter schools should not be talent-based and should be accessible to all students.