REASONS TO BELIEVE IN LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS

Students who participate in arts programs are:

-  3x as likely to be elected to class office.

-  4x as likely to participate in a math and science fair.

-  3x more likely to win a school award for attendance.

(National School Boards Association and Americans for the Arts.)

More specifically, researchers found that learning in and through the arts:

-  Contributes significantly to improved critical thinking, problem posing, problem

solving and decision-making.

-  Involves the communication, manipulation, interpretation and understanding of

complex symbols, as much as do language and mathematics.

-  Fosters higher-order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

-  Regularly engages multiple skills and abilities.

-  Develops a person's imagination and judgment.

(Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning.)

Only 8% of elementary schools in NY state meet state standards for arts instruction (Arts Education Partnership, General Accountability Office.)

New York City public school students at schools with the lowest graduation rates have the least access to instruction in the arts (Center for Arts Education.)

22% of school districts surveyed by the Center for Education Policy have reduced instructional time for art and music.

Teachers at schools with a higher % of low-income or minority students report a greater reduction in time spent on the arts (Center for Education Policy.)