This article argues that justifications for art and culture recently have changed from one of basic freedom of expression and communication of an inner vision ("art for art's sake"), to one of utilitarianism and entrepreneurialism. On a very basic level, theatre in school settings works with young people inside the context of a community…

The following is adapted from chapter 2 of "Assessing Expressive Learning: A Practical Guide for Teacher-Directed Authentic Assessment in K-12 Visual Art Education" by Charles Dorn, Stanley Madeja, and Robert Sabol. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ 2003. (Appendices referred to in the following article can be found in the book…

The new Interdisciplinary Unified Curriculum Framework (2001), as declared by its name, is based on the 1997 Unified Curriculum Framework, but a new stress is placed on interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning. The general aim of education remains unaltered. However, it is heavily emphasized that, in this new curriculum, the growth of…

In this essay, the author asks, "What can the romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley teach us about arts education today?" In Shelley's time, no one was yet worried about improving math, reading, or SAT scores. Nevertheless, there was an implication in the rise of the sciences that educators were even then beginning to confront: What, some…

In arts education, Visual Culture Studies (VCS) is currently at its height, and proponents of it act with all the verve of partisans on a roll. A little knowledge of history, however, should curb their enthusiasm. Academia has a way of assimilating the most extreme theories and pursuits into standard operating procedure, and the evanescence of…

In June 2004, three out of four public schools in Florida failed to meet a new federal standard for school improvement, including one arts school that had earned "A" ratings on statewide tests for four consecutive years (Shanklin 2004). How can so many schools, including "A" schools, be failing? The answer: the No Child Left…

This paper contains excerpts from a report by the National Endowment for the Arts, issued by its Office of Research, headed by Mark Bauerlein, a contributor to "Arts Education Policy Review." The excerpts do not include the report's tables, figures, or appendices, but numbers have been retained in their original sequence (see notes).

Literary reading is in dramatic decline, with fewer than half of American adults now reading literature, according to a July 2004 report by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The survey "Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America" reports drops in all groups studied, with the steepest rate of decline--28…

States research shows collaboration among schools and external partners enhances student learning under certain conditions. Addresses reservations about collaborating, emerging trends and cautions, an alternative view of collaboration, and the impact of future changes in music education on collaboration. Describes a model music education…

Reports a case study of a non profit arts advocacy group. Explores how Arts Collaborators, Inc. (ACI) advocated arts education, how they chose and developed arts education activities, and how individual and corporate beliefs about art influenced those choices. Offers recommendations about effectively evaluating and incorporating outside influences…

Focusing on Chicago Public Schools (Illinois), explores issues related to philanthropy's role in the development of arts education policy. Discusses the relationship among philanthropic organizations and the core curriculum; the impact of research; preservice teacher training, and economic development and arts education. Offers recommendations for…

Asserts that testing is widely accepted and politically supported in Canada. Examines why there should be testing in the arts; what should be tested; who makes the tests, takes the tests, and benefits from them; and how frequently students should be tested. Concludes by outlining issues for consideration by policymakers. (PAL)

Addresses the common confusion about the nature and use of intellect in the arts. Attempts to demonstrate the forces that promote and reinforce this confusion in relation to the nature and use of intellect in the arts. (CMK)

Describes the MUSICLINK program that provides music opportunities to talented at-risk students through collaborative connections between the school and community. Addresses the issue of musical talent identification and focuses on the two programs within MUSICLINK: LessonLink and StudyLink. Recommends policies for nurturing and developing student…

Discusses the success of arts-focused schools in performing and visual arts. Offers examples of outstanding schools. Focuses on the importance of having the best administration, the administrative considerations involved in establishing a successful arts-infused school, and finding the best faculty with a diverse focus. (CMK)