RECOGNIZING THE VITALITY OF ART EDUCATION WITH DR. EUINICE LEE
FULL RESEARCH PROJECT (WITH IMAGES) LINKED HERE
Purpose
This study’s purpose is to determine the effectiveness of art education concerning academic success and provide evidence that supports its implementation in poverty-stricken areas. Minorities make up 53.8% of the communities, but when compared to their white counterparts, they are 31.2% less likely to receive a high school diploma (U.S. Bureau of Census, 2022). The correlation between diminished education outcomes for minorities and poverty underscores the urgent need for effective interventions. As Congresswoman Bonamici declares, "Art sparks creativity, critical thinking, and empathy in students," highlighting its crucial role in education (Regional Arts & Culture Council, 2023).
Theoretical Framework
This research adopts the Ecological Systems theoretical framework by Bronfenbrenner (1997), illustrating how an individual's development is shaped by interactions within their environment, encompassing community and socio-cultural contexts.
Research Methods
200 minority students at Stanton Elementary School in the D.C. area were given a basic lesson on tectonic plates and were then surveyed (with administrative consent) on their interest rating and their level of understanding on a scale of 1(very little) to 10(very well). They then participated in an art investigation, creating models of tectonic plates, and were quizzed and surveyed again. Students also rated their experience of the art project on a scale of 1 (not fun) to 10 (very fun) and were discussed on their experiences.
Data Sources
This study’s data are responses of 200 minority students at Stanton Elementary School in Washington D.C., where 98% of the kids that we surveyed and interviewed were black while 2% were Hispanic (U.S. Bureau of Census, 2022). Students at this school were resource-stricken and undereducated, lacking opportunities to participate in art educational field trips such as those funded in the wealthier Fairfax County (FCPS, n.d.).
Preliminary Results
According to the Stanton Survey taken on November 8th, the students’ percent of understanding increased by 7.64% and their self-reflection score heightened by 1.8% after the art project. Overall, the enjoyment rating was 9.3/10 for the art project compared to the original 3.4/10 interest rating for the slideshow presentation. Additionally, we observed that a majority of students felt “proud and happy with their artworks,” suggesting that students felt a sense of achievement through the art investigation. It has also been proven to accelerate the Limited English Proficiency of students and the Gifted and Talented Program with a multifaceted approach (Bowen & Kisida, 2019).
Conclusions and Implications
The Stanton survey results indicated that art education proves effective in hands-on engagement and understanding for the students rather than a lecture-based style. This proves that art education is essential to improvement, as demonstrated by Congresswoman Bonamici who highlights how “students who receive art education perform better in math, reading, and writing” (Regional Arts & Culture Council, 2023). Our results can be applied to all of D.C. public schools, where the funding of art curriculums in minority and underrepresented schools should be implemented.
References
Bowen, D. H. & Kisida, B. (2019). Investigating Causal Effects of Arts Education Experiences: Experimental Evidence from Houston’s Arts Access Initiative. Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED598203.pdf
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1997). Environments in developmental perspective: Theoretical and
operational models.
Fairfax County Public School (FCPS). (n.d.). Fine Arts Overview. https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/fine-arts
Regional Arts & Culture Council. (September, 27th 2023). The Regional Arts & Culture Council Re-Endorses: The Arts Education for All Act (HR 5463) Co-Sponsored by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR1). https://racc.org/2023/09/27/arts-education-for-all-act-announcement/
U.S. Bureau of Census. (2022). QuickFacts District of Columbia. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/DC/PST045222
Commenti