The Arts and Student The Arts and Student AchievementAchievement

Morgan EmsleyMorgan Emsley

October 2010October 2010

Coastal Carolina UniversityCoastal Carolina University

Did You Know?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 BenefitsLasting Benefits

Research states that the benefits Research states that the benefits from education in the arts can be from education in the arts can be grouped into four major categories:grouped into four major categories:Success in societySuccess in societySuccess in schoolSuccess in schoolSuccess in developing intelligenceSuccess in developing intelligenceSuccess in lifeSuccess in life

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htmlocklear.htm

For the School PrincipalFor 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 AnswersThe Answers

Be an advocate!Be an advocate!Stand up for these programs in your Stand up for these programs in your

schools. schools. Search for grants, donors, and volunteers Search for grants, donors, and volunteers

to make these programs possible when to make these programs possible when you have exhausted all funding options you have exhausted all funding options from your school district. from your school district.

Involve your school and local community in Involve your school and local community in making sure your school continues to offer making sure your school continues to offer these valuable programs to the students.these valuable programs to the students.

A Motivating ExampleA Motivating Example

This is just one example:This is just one example:Even without funding from the school Even without funding from the school

district, this school’s leaders and district, this school’s leaders and community members work together to community members work together to bring the benefits of education in the bring the benefits of education in the arts to their students!arts to their students!

ReferencesReferences

Locklear,S. (October 2008). Locklear,S. (October 2008). Research-based justification for Research-based justification for the highline school district elementary and secondary school the highline school district elementary and secondary school music programsmusic programs. Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htmhttp://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htm

National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2006). National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. (2006). Critical Critical evidence: How the arts benefit student achievement.evidence: How the arts benefit student achievement. Washington, Washington, DC: Ruppert,S.DC: Ruppert,S.