We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects.

Casals says music fills him with the wonder of life and the 'incredible marvel' of being a human. Ives says it expands his mind and challenges him to be a true individual. Bernstein says it is enriching and ennobling. To me, that sounds like a good cause for making music and the arts an integral part of every child's education. Studying music and the arts elevates children's education, expands students' horizons, and teaches them to appreciate the wonder of life.

We have strong evidence today that studying a foreign language has a ripple effect, helping to improve student performance in other subjects.

We need to understand that every time an elementary teacher captures the imagination of a child through the arts or music of language this nation gets a little stronger.