DURING THE LAST DECADE, ARTS EDUCATION HAS RECEIVED INCREASING ATTENTION AS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF EDUCATION. THE CURRENT DIRECTION IN EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE AND POLICY FOCUSES OVERWHELMINGLY ON ACADEMIC ACHEIVEMENT. SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND LAW MANY ADMINISTRATORS HAVE WIPED OUT MUSIC, ART, DANCE-EVEN SOCIAL STUDIES AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNDER PRESSURE TO RAISE TEST SCORES. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS ONLY ONE ELEMENT OF LEARNING.