Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Achievement and Social Development1

The research compendium Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Achievement and Social Development contains a diverse collection of studies that examine how arts learning experiences affect the academic achievement and social development of children and youth. It includes summaries of studies conducted in five major art form areas: dance, drama, visual arts, music and multi-arts.
    More than 65 distinct relationships between the arts and academic and social outcomes are documented. They include such associations as: visual arts instruction and reading readiness; dramatic enactment and conflict resolution skills; traditional dance and nonverbal reasoning; and learning piano and mathematics proficiency. Based on these findings, the compendium has identified six major types of benefits associated with study of the arts and student achievement:

1. READING AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
2. MATHEMATICS SKILLS
3. THINKING SKILLS
4. SOCIAL SKILLS
5. MOTIVATION TO LEARN
6. POSITIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

I. ACADEMIC SKILLS

Learning experiences in the arts contribute to the development of academic skills, including the areas of reading and language development, and mathematics.

 READING AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
Learning experiences in the arts contribute to the development of academic skills, including the areas of reading and language development, and mathematics. One method for assessing these outcomes is standardized exams, sometimes referred to as “paper and pencil” tests.

 MATHEMATICS SKILLS
Certain types of music instruction help develop the capacity for spatial temporal reasoning, which is integral to the acquisition of important mathematics skills.

II. BASIC SKILLS

Arts learning experiences contribute to the development of certain thinking, social and motivational skills that are considered basic for success in school, work and life. These fundamental skills encompass a wide range of more subtle, general capacities of the mind, self-perceptions and social relationships.

 THINKING SKILLS
Thinking skills (sometimes referred to as cognitive skills) is a broad term that refers to the operation of various thought processes. Reasoning ability, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving skills and expression are among the thought processes associated with study of the arts.

 SOCIAL SKILLS
Certain arts activities promote growth in positive social skills, including self-confidence, self-control, conflict resolution, collaboration, empathy and social tolerance. Research evidence demonstrates these benefits apply to all students, not just the gifted and talented.

 MOTIVATION TO LEARN
The arts nurture a motivation to learn by emphasizing active engagement, disciplined and sustained attention, persistence and risk taking, among other competencies. Participation in the arts also is an important strategy for engaging and motivating students at risk of dropping out of high school and for those with special needs.

III. COMPREHENSIVE

Learning in the arts is comprehensive in the true sense of the word: All three common definitions are applicable. Integration of the arts as a critical component of the school curriculum affords students a complete and well rounded education. The benefits associated with study of the arts are inclusive of all students, although they can be greatest for those who are educationally or economically disadvantaged. And, an arts-rich learning environment can have far-reaching effects that extend to the entire school and surrounding community.

 POSITIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
The arts help create the kind of learning environment conducive to teacher and student success by fostering teacher innovation, a positive professional culture, community engagement, increased student attendance, effective instructional practice and school identity