What might be a significant reason for the decline of arts education in schools, as mentioned in Nicole’s essay?

The significant reason for the decline of arts education in schools, as mentioned in Nicole’s essay, revolves around the growing emphasis on standardized testing. This shift in focus often prioritizes subjects that directly contribute to test scores, such as math and reading, while arts education, which may not be directly assessed, becomes marginalized. Schools aiming to meet testing benchmarks may allocate more time and resources to subjects that will appear on standardized exams, resulting in arts programs being cut or diminished. This trend reflects a broader educational prioritization that can overlook the importance of a well-rounded curriculum that includes the arts, which is essential for fostering creativity and critical thinking in students.