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- Category: Art and Well-being
Showing the connection between academic achievement and art education.
Arts Education refers to the form of learning and instruction based upon human conception, which manifests through a medium. In other words, it is the study of music, drama, dance, photography etc., all of which are results of human conceptions. Academic achievement, according to Bruce and Neville (1979), is the measure of the successful completion of a course of study using standardized achievement tests developed for that course.
Many studies are beginning to reveal positive connections between arts education and good grades.
A research conducted by scholars of the University of California found that of 25,000 middle and high school students, those with high involvements in arts, performed better than those with low or no involvement.
Furthermore, in a publication by the National Art Education Association in 2001, music improved Spatial-Temporal reasoning. Spatial-Temporal reasoning is a key cognitive ability central to high academic performance. Participation and learning other forms of art such as dance and drama also increased cognitive abilities.
The correlation between art education and SAT scores is particularly interesting. SAT scores are widely relied upon by many colleges and universities for undergraduate admissions. They are, without mincing words, key tests. Kathryn Vaughn and Ellen Winner (Fall 2000), found high positive correlations between high school students who took art classes and SAT verbal and mathematics scores. The correlation was also linear.
There is much more to arts and academic development than improved test scores. In fact, test scores are not the only basis of measuring academic excellence. Participation in extra curricula activities are used as well. Research shows that students who study, and live art show better social skills, self-worth and are more motivated to learn!
In conclusion, according to a study by Centre for Arts Education, graduation rates are higher in schools who offer more access to arts education and resources than schools that do not.
These compelling evidences show strong positive correlation between arts, arts education and academic excellence. Therefore, it is important to promote the integration of arts education in schools. This, in turn, will yield a better society through better outputs – academically excellent students.
REFERENCES
Bruce, H. C. & Neville, P (1979). Evaluation in education. Oxford: Pengamon Press.
Catterall, James S. (2002), “Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School.”In R. Deasy (Ed.), Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Achievement and Social Development, Washington, DC: AEP
Vaughn, Kathryn (2002), “Music and Mathematics: Modest Support for the Oft-Claimed Relationship.” In R. Deasy (Ed.), Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Achievement and Social Development, Washington, DC: AEP.
