Arts Education Music, Art, Dance and Drama

Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement

What does the public think? 93% Agree the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children

79% of the public agrees that incorporating the arts into education is the first step in adding back what’s missing in public education today. of the public agrees that incorporating the arts into education is the first step in adding back what’s missing in public education today.

Arts Course –taking patterns and SAT Scores, 2005 Years spent in Arts Courses VerbalMath 4+ years years years years year ½ year or less Average of all SAT test takers

NCLB: No Child Left Behind NCLB puts the arts as a “core academic subject” that all schools should teach NCLB puts the arts as a “core academic subject” that all schools should teach Arts are on equal footing with the other designated core subjects: English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign language, civics and government, economics, history and geography Arts are on equal footing with the other designated core subjects: English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign language, civics and government, economics, history and geography

Education Commission of the States Secretary Margaret Spellings clarified the role of the arts in NCLB. She said: Secretary Margaret Spellings clarified the role of the arts in NCLB. She said: “They’re an important part of a well- rounded, complete education for every student, with knowledge and skills that uniquely equip young persons for life. What’s more, combining music, art, dance and drama with subjects such as math, reading and language can be highly effective, enhancing student engagement and increasing academic achievement”.

ABCs of Arts Learning The benefits of student learning experiences in the arts are: Academic Academic Basic Basic Comprehensive Comprehensive

Academic Reading and Language Skills Reading and Language Skills Mathematics Skills Mathematics Skills

Academic Drama has been shown to increase the quality of children’s narrative writing skills and comprehension Drama has been shown to increase the quality of children’s narrative writing skills and comprehension

Academic Studies have shown that students from low-income families that participate in orchestra or band are twice as likely to perform at the highest levels in math than their peers who have not had that opportunity. Studies have shown that students from low-income families that participate in orchestra or band are twice as likely to perform at the highest levels in math than their peers who have not had that opportunity.

Basic Thinking Skills Thinking Skills Social Skills Social Skills Motivations to Learn Motivations to Learn

Basic Studying art work increases students’ ability to draw inferences and reason in art and in other areas such as science Studying art work increases students’ ability to draw inferences and reason in art and in other areas such as science

Basic High school students who have studied dance show higher scores on tests that measure creativity and abstract thinking than non-dance students. High school students who have studied dance show higher scores on tests that measure creativity and abstract thinking than non-dance students.

Comprehensive Positive School Environment Positive School Environment

Comprehensive The arts help create the kind of learning environment conducive to teacher and student success by fostering: teacher innovation teacher innovation a positive professional culture a positive professional culture community engagement community engagement increased student attendance increased student attendance effective instructional practice effective instructional practice school identity school identity

Grants/Assistance ABC advancement site ABC advancement site AIE Residency Plus Multi site grant AIE Residency Plus Multi site grant DAC initiative grant DAC initiative grant Comprehensive planning grants Comprehensive planning grants DAP grant DAP grant

Resources Resources Arts With The Brain in Mind – Eric Jensen Arts With The Brain in Mind – Eric Jensen Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development- Arts Education Partnership Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development- Arts Education Partnership Creating Islands of Excellence: Arts Education as a Partner in School Reform- Carol Fineberg Creating Islands of Excellence: Arts Education as a Partner in School Reform- Carol Fineberg Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning- AEP, Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning- AEP, Presidents Committee on the Arts and Humanities Third Space: When Learning Matters Third Space: When Learning Matters