WASHINGTON (AP) β Michelle Obama is making a forceful plea about the role of arts in education.
The first lady says arts education isn’t something to be introduced in schools after student test scores go up but is a critical part of achieving higher test scores in the first place.
She commented Tuesday as the first White House talent show got underway.
The student performers came from schools that participate in a program that uses arts education to help improve student outcomes.
The first lady announced that the program is being expanded from eight to 35 schools nationwide.
President Barack Obama broke away from the Oval Office and came to the East Room to make his own pitch for arts education and to congratulate the students on their performances.
