This is a beautiful and inspiring 4-minute video about the iconic singer Tony Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto,who generously support the arts in public schools.
It is a magnificent testimony to the arts, to public schools, to diversity, and to the way that the arts bring hope to the world.
They may never know about it, but I gladly add Tony Bennett and Susan Benedetto to the blog’s Honor Roll for their love of the arts and for their recognition of the transformative power of the arts in the lives of young people.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thanks for presenting this beautiful and elucidating piece, Diane.
Fantastic.
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Thank you, Diane. Needed this one.
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It reminds me of a quote in Dead Poets Society,
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
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Some students that may have difficulty with the general academic subjects can be actively engaged in learning in the arts, and the same can be said about sports. After finding themselves, many of these same students often start achieving in academic subjects. That is why it is important to educate the whole student, not just the cognitive academic part of the brain.
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I have a great quote from Tony Bennett on my classroom wall: “Art civilizes the world”.
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We hear a lot about the excellent STEM programs in Japanese schools. Their reputation for quality in STEM is well-deserved.
But, rarely is heard of the Japanese schools’ commitment to education in the arts.
Japanese schoolchildren receive several hours a week, mandatory instructions in dance, calligraphy, theater (Kabuki/Noh), etc.
Another foreign education innovation, that we should emulate.
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Awesome ,special and a great work!I love both!
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