The Case for Aesthetic Literacy

hat most graduates of public schools have not acquired the skills and critical faculties needed for aesthetic literacy is one of the most glaring deficiencies of American educa tion. The public's unawareness of this lapse represents a persistent misunder standing of the arts and the role of aes thetic education in schools. Aesthetic education refers not only to arts education programs in which tal ented or interested youths take art. music, drama, or other courses in the fine or performing arts At best these studio-arts classes reach a minority of the total school population Just as physical education classes are meant for all. not just athletes, so should aesthetic education be conceived. The Rockefel ler Report. C oming to Our Senses. cogently makes this point: