Arts Programs Help Students Improve in All Areas
Submitted by Steve on February 28, 2012
From Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah at the Chicago Tribune:
Arts programming was a factor leading to improved standardized test scores at three schools in Chicago over three years, according to a report released today by the educational arts non-profit Changing Worlds and Loyola University.
The study is just the latest calling for more arts education in Chicago Public Schools. With the district moving to a longer school day next year, the Chicago Teachers Union and parent groups like Raise Your Hand have called for more time devoted to enrichment classes like music and art and less time devoted to test preparation.
Researchers at Loyola University's Center for Urban Research and Learning tracked test scores of 95 children enrolled in Englewood's Goodlow Elementary Magnet School, Pilsen's Whittier Elementary and Rogers Park's Boone Elementary. The students were all participating in Changing Worlds' Literacy and Cultural Connections program.