Improving Basic Education for All Learners: The Role of Arts Education. SERVE Policy Brief.

Overview & Synopsis

Although the term "arts education" conjures up competing images and definitions for different people, for the purposes of this policy brief, arts education is defined as incorporating four distinct subject areas: (1) music, (2) dance, (3) theater arts, and (4) visual arts, as taught by certified arts educators. The policy brief provides information about the integration of the arts into K-12 curriculum as a mechanism to improve the performance of all students, particularly in the basic areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. This brief reports on selected research information in brain development and cognition (learning styles) as they relate to arts education and selected findings on the effectiveness of arts education as a curriculum reform effort. Sample arts education standards from the National Standards for Arts Education (1994) are described. The brief also discusses policy issues concerning arts education and its present place in public education. Contains 37 references. (BT)