Adv. English II
Persuasive Essay
In 1991 55.4 percent of eighth graders participated in school-funded music or performing arts. By 2004, the figure had fallen to 49.1 percent (Ford, A. and McMahon, M., 2015, p.2). These statistics show that the number of students participating in co-curricular activities has fallen at an alarming rate. Elective courses such as art, music, and shop should not be cut from schools because they help students develop as well-rounded individuals, and the elimination of these courses will cause many students to transfer, creating separate funding issues in the process. Students who participate in co-curricular activities develop skills different from those gained in core classes. English, math, and