Ms. Baylor: “It’s been proven that academic success is improved by arts study,” she said. While it is true that some studies do correlate the fact that many students who participate in the arts do better in the academic courses, those studies only show a correlation not causation. That is to say there is no evidence that poorly performing math students showed measurable improvement after enrolling in an arts class.

The more likely reason for this correlation is that families who expend the time and money to give their children exposure to the arts also take steps to ensure their success in math, science, etc. Believe me, I believe that the arts are important all six of my kids participated in the arts through elementary, secondary and college studies. Some were provided by the schools although I financed the horns, drums, tap shoes, etc. and some were done extracurricularly at family expense. I just hate to see someone confusing correlation with causation.