The Arts and Student Achievement Morgan Emsley October 2010 Coastal Carolina University

Did You Know? In the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the arts share equal billing with reading, math, science, and other disciplines as “core academic subjects,” which can contribute to improved student learning outcomes. Forty-nine states have established content and/or performance standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in one or more art forms; 43 states require schools or districts to provide arts instruction. (Critical Evidence Pamphlet)

Schools integrating the arts into the curriculum as part of a comprehensive education reform strategy are documenting positive changes in the school environment and improved student performance. The American public, by an overwhelming margin, believes the arts are vital to a well-rounded education; more than half rate the importance of arts education a “ten” on a scale of one to ten. (Critical Evidence Pamphlet)

Lasting Benefits Research states that the benefits from education in the arts can be grouped into four major categories: Research states that the benefits from education in the arts can be grouped into four major categories: Success in society Success in society Success in school Success in school Success in developing intelligence Success in developing intelligence Success in life Success in life

For the School Principal Two huge obstacles: Funding – How, in times like these, do we come up with the money to provide these opportunities to the children? Time – When do we fit it in?

The Answers Be an advocate! Be an advocate! Stand up for these programs in your schools. Stand up for these programs in your schools. Search for grants, donors, and volunteers to make these programs possible when you have exhausted all funding options from your school district. Search for grants, donors, and volunteers to make these programs possible when you have exhausted all funding options from your school district. Involve your school and local community in making sure your school continues to offer these valuable programs to the students. Involve your school and local community in making sure your school continues to offer these valuable programs to the students.

A Motivating Example This is just one example: This is just one example: Even without funding from the school district, this school’s leaders and community members work together to bring the benefits of education in the arts to their students! Even without funding from the school district, this school’s leaders and community members work together to bring the benefits of education in the arts to their students! Even without funding from the school district, this school’s leaders and community members work together to bring the benefits of education in the arts to their students! Even without funding from the school district, this school’s leaders and community members work together to bring the benefits of education in the arts to their students!

References Locklear,S. (October 2008). Research-based justification for the highline school district elementary and secondary school music programs. Retrieved from Locklear,S. (October 2008). Research-based justification for the highline school district elementary and secondary school music programs. Retrieved from National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2006). Critical evidence: How the arts benefit student achievement. Washington, DC: Ruppert,S. National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2006). Critical evidence: How the arts benefit student achievement. Washington, DC: Ruppert,S.