What Does Arts Integration Do for Students?

Abstract

This report summarizes findings on the relationship between arts-integrated instruction and student achievement in the Arts for Academic Achievement (AAA) program. It is part of a series of reports based on a longitudinal study of AAA by a team of researchers at the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI). The purpose of the four-year Arts for Academic Achievement: The Annenberg Challenge in Minneapolis project (AAA) was to transform teaching and learning through partnerships between schools, artists, and arts organizations. The theory of action underlying the initiative was that when teachers and artists collaboratively develop instruction that integrates arts and non-arts disciplines, instruction in non-arts disciplines becomes more effective and student achievement increases.