Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Education. A Focus Group Study Conducted at the Minnesota Center for Arts Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Four student and two faculty focus groups met to discuss interdisciplinary education at the Minnesota Center for Arts Education. The focus groups perceptions about interdisciplinary education resulted in several primary conclusions: (1) interdisciplinary education is not extensive in public education systems; (2) most students feel a primary attraction to the Arts High School because of the arts emphasis but feel interdisciplinary study is essential; (3) most students like the delivery of interdisciplinary education through a separate course; (4) faculty see the need for a separate course for interdisciplinary education and for opportunities for integrating interdisciplinary learning in other settings; (5) for some students, integrating more interdisciplinary education into general studies and the arts is problematical; (6) students and some faculty express an interest in more inter-arts education; (7) teachers and students express significant concerns about assessment of interdisciplinary education; (8) team teaching is an integral part of the separate interdisciplinary studies classes; and (9) students and teachers have similar opinions about interdisciplinary education and studies at the Arts High School. A description of the school learning environment is provided. Five appendices present the mission of the Minnesota Center for Arts Education, a list of focus group participants, a list of the primary questions asked of students and teachers, a questionnaire of interdisciplinary team teaching, and a summary of the conclusions. (CK)