Teaching programs for arts and athletics is an integral part of properly educating today's youth. The importance of teaching art and athletics is often overlooked relative to core subjects such as English, math and science. Education in arts and athletics is critical in nourishing an individual's intellectual, personal and social development.

Teaching programs and the arts are a critical part of every child's education, this is why the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) places art as one of its core academic subjects. However, some schools, which are facing tight local budgets, have been forced to cut art programs due to lack of funds.

Similar to math, English, science and other core subjects, the arts (music dance, visual arts, theater etc.) can be extremely challenging subjects with rigorous achievement standards and content at the national and stated levels. The arts require highly educated teachers who can challenge all students, not just those students who are considered artistically talented, to create their own works, to perform works of art and respond to artwork and the ideas that they impart.

In addition to teaching programs teach students arts for their own sake, teaching students to make and experience art is extremely beneficial to a student's personal, intellectual and social development. Art education can be particularly beneficial for those students who come form economically disadvantaged circumstances as well as those students who are at risk of being unsuccessful in school. Many studies provide evidence that there is a strong relationship between art education and fundamental cognitive skills and capacities used to master the other core subjects, including mathematics, science, reading and writing.

Teaching programs for athletics is equally important to a student's nourishment. Athletic education is an integral part of a student's curriculum for a number of reasons including educating students on good physical and mental health, the importance of fair play and sportsmanship as well as a number of other reasons.

Teaching students athletics allows them to develop and maintain good physical and mental health, which is a critical part of everyday life. It also teaches students the importance of competition, fair play and sportsmanship as well as the ability to deal with failure or loss in a respectable and responsible manner.

Teaching students athletics contributes directly to the various responsibilities that education has to society and to the individual. Athletic education provides real life situations in skilled performance in which students learn the importance of working under fire, respecting opponents or competitors, the acceptance of results that are determined by officials or are out of their control and participating fairly or playing the game according to its rules. Teaching students athletics also prepares them for the rugged competition, which is a critical part of our democracy.

Teaching programs for athletics can do so much for a student and our community. Athletic education assists in building human resources, preserving and extending democracy, acquiring a respect for our fellow human beings and developing physical and emotional stability.

Art and athletic education is often overlooked relative to the core subjects but is equally important in developing a well-rounded individual. Art and athletic education nourishes an individual intellectually, personally and socially and greater prepares them for the real world.