We believe that the Edgewood-Colesburg art program has a very positive impact on the students that participate in it. According to pbs.org, art within schools has shown importance and positive effects on motor skills, accountability, language development, decision making, visual learning, inventiveness, cultural awareness, and improvements in academic performance. Eliminating this program will cause students to lack in these areas, which will cause them to struggle in society following their high school education. To make the students achieve to their highest ability when they have completed their education at Edgewood-Colesburg, the importance of the arts must considered. This has been proven by numerous studies. A West Virginia study found that students with more art credits performed better on the ACT. Another study showed that California 3rd graders who participated in special art programs saw their reading scores improve by 87 points. Therefore, this is why we believe that the Edgewood-Colesburg art program has a very positive impact on the students that participate in it.

Those who have added their signature to this petition agree that there is a need to maintain an instructor for the elementary and high school art programs.