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Arts Education: Improving Students’ Academic Performance - Tuesday, March 15, 2005

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The success of our democracy relies on providing every child with a high-quality, well-rounded education—an education that expects students to master the basics but that also provides a curriculum rich with drama, music, theater and the visual arts. From an early age, regardless of economic background or inherent talent, studying the arts and creating works of art help young people develop critical thinking skills and foster a deeper understanding about the people and cultures of our country and the world.

Weaving the arts into the school day can also be a powerful tool to help close the achievement gap. Research has shown that when students study the arts, academic performance improves in subjects such as mathematics, reading and writing. This is particularly true for students who are most at risk of struggling with their school work or of dropping out, including students with physical or learning disabilities and those with English as their second language. Additionally, recent studies point a direct connection between music and spatial reasoning and spatial temporal skills, which are important to understanding and using mathematical concepts. For these reasons, the arts are a core academic subject under the No Child Left Behind Act. Ultimately, the arts help schools and districts achieve their mission—to shape a nation of compassionate, creative and productive citizens, prepared to participate in the global economy.

The March edition of Education News will feature educators and community leaders who are dedicated to ensuring that all children have a chance to learn and explore the arts. The broadcast will cover questions such as:

• Why are the arts an essential part of every child’s education?
• In what ways can schools integrate the arts into the school day? What do innovative programs look like?
• What does the latest brain research tell us about the way the arts can stimulate a child’s mind?
• In what ways can the arts help close the achievement gap and help at-risk students?
• What resources are available to schools and communities to help establish effective arts programs?
• In what ways can parents help their children foster an appreciation for the fine and performing arts? When should parents start?

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