New Report: The Arts are Critical for Student Development

Posted by on June 7, 2002

[Public Education Network]

“Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development,” a new report from the Arts Education Partnership, provides significant evidence that cutting back on school arts programs may prove counterproductive to raising student achievement.

AEP finds that the arts provide critical links for students to develop crucial thinking skills and motivations they need to achieve at higher levels. The research studies in this report further suggest that for certain populations (students from economically disadvantaged circumstances, students needing remedial instruction, and young children) the effects of learning in the arts may be especially robust and able to boost learning and achievement. The 159-page report details the relationship between learning in dance, drama, music, multiple arts, and visual arts,and the development of fundamental academic and social skills.

To download sections of the report or the full document, go to
http://www.aep-arts.org/cllinkspage.htm.