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“A lot of education today has become left-brain only. All we’re doing is . . . nothing more than data download: taking data from the teacher and downloading it to kids. And we wonder why 6,000 kids drop out of school every day and why so many millions more kids sleep through the day with their heads down on the desk, taking the most expensive nap in America. The reason they’re doing it is not that they’re dumb but that they’re bored.” - Mike Huckabee. ^[1]

As a Graphic Design major I can appreciate Huckabee’s stance on the issue. I believe that schools should spend more time on the arts because it is a highly valuable tool that seems to be ignored. Math is a highly necessary skill but arts have been pushed aside in schools more over the years and I believe that is only hurting our countries students. Being able to access the left brain is key to opening the door to your creative abilities. Neglecting the arts leaves students out on their own, away from creative jobs which are becoming ever more in demand.

This issue is not something Huckabee decided to fight for out of the blue. Huckabee has been playing the guitar since he was 11, when he parents bought his first guitar for $99. In 2005 as Governor he signed legislation which requires 40 minutes per week of both music and art in grades 1st–6th^[2]. Mike is likely to displease a lot of Republicans with his stance on the arts but I am not one of them. Our schools have been failing for years and even though such a thing is no savior it is a great tool. As Mike put it “I call it a weapon of mass instruction. It’s a critical part of education”.

Huckabee’s record on education would more likely be considered liberal than conservative^[3]. In January of 2001 Huckabee stated during the state of the state address to the Arkansas legislature that teacher’s salaries should be raised “$3,000, recognizing that’s not enough and it’s not the finish line but it’s a good starting point”. In November of 2002 he reasserted his opinion on a Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test saying to increase state funds for hiring additional teachers & increasing teacher salaries. Whether or not his stance on education will hurt or benefit him it is surely an issue he is willing to stand for.

Read the original story here.
1. Quoted during a visit to Northern Virginia. Taken from the WashingtonPost.com.
2. Information about legislation signed by Mike Huckabee in 2005.
3. Ontheissues.org - Huckabee on education.

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