RE (“Make arts education standard,’’ Editorial, Jan. 2): Standardizing the arts? Talk about an oxymoron! Just like math and English are required for all students each and every year, so too should the arts. Anything less than a statewide mandate will leave many students in the audience, watching others perform.

It appears that the prophetic words of music teacher Glenn Holland (in “Mr. Holland’s Opus’’) have come true: “Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren’t going to have anything to read and write about.’’ Thank goodness the Gene Wolters of the world are no longer dictating terms.

Michael J. Maguire

West Roxbury