| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Beth Day |
| March 6, 2001 | (202)224-6404 |
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) has introduced a resolution designating March 2001 and March 2002 as "Arts Education Month."
Last year, the Senate approved a similar resolution, marking for the first time, Congressional recognition of the annual celebration of music, art, dance and theatre programs in American schools. Senator Cochran said, "There is growing awareness that arts education can help America's students enhance their math and language skills, improve test scores, and provide increased opportunities for higher education and better jobs in the future." A study by the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies found that students who consistently act in plays and musicals, join drama clubs or take acting lessons showed gains in reading proficiency, self-concept and motivation. According to researchers, the findings were consistent for students regardless of parents' income, occupation or level of education. Cochran added, "I hope the United States Senate will again recognize the importance of arts education and adopt this resolution which will encourage schools and communities to engage in activities that highlight the arts and provide new experiences for students of all ages."
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