Creative Spark Talk Analysis: Schools
PHL 458
September 08, 2014
Mrs. LaTrisha McAloon

Creative Spark Talk Analysis: Schools Kill Creativity
Belief that public education standards are suppressing the creativeness of children, thus society as whole, is gaining wide spread acceptance. The pressure that students are under to achieve in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs leaves little time for commitment to creative programs such as music, theater, dance, film, and visual arts. Society today places more value on science and math, a holdover from the Industrial Revolution and manufacturing in the United States after World War II.
Diminishing Creativity

In his discussion at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) Conference in Monterey, CA February 2006, author and educator Sir Ken Robinson presented the argument that “We have been educated to become good workers, rather than creative thinkers.” (Robinson, 2006). Parents have been “indoctrinated” by the same education system that now strives to quell the creative spark in todyas new generation.
The emphasis of STEM in the education process removes emphasis from creative programs. Children are turnover to the education system for seven to nine hours a day. Teachers don’t want a child to be a dancer, musician, or writer and push academic achievement in STEM classes as an extrinsic motivator. For example, Doing well in math and science will put on the path to a scholarship at a great school! We have all heard it. Conversely, we have also heard that music and dance will leave you broke and hungry. There are no jobs for musicians and dancers!
Until the mid-19th century musicians, philosophers, scuplturs and other artists were revered. Parents hoped their children would be one of the great artisits or writers. Now parents hope the children grow up to be CEO’s and politicians. This