Over the past several decades core curriculum standards have narrowed in subject matter. Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are absolutely essential components of a complete education and are some of the central competencies required for current as well as future jobs.
It is the view of thousands of teachers, parents, students, community leaders and school administrators that the acronym, STEM, is missing an important and vital letter: "A" for Arts.
Arts develop crucial skills: creativity, discipline, leadership, collaboration, multi-cultural tolerance, and confidence.
We, the undersigned, demand of our state and federal legislators the adoption of "STEAM" - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math into the core curriculum of every public school in the nation.