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Studies

National Evidence

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Study

The NEA has conducted several studies highlighting the positive impact of arts education on student performance. In their report, The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth, they found that students from low-income backgrounds who had higher engagement in arts education showed better academic outcomes, including higher grades and test scores, compared to those with less exposure to the arts. These students were also more likely to graduate from high school and pursue higher education .

Brookings Institution:

Research from Brookings Institution reveals that students who participate in arts programs have improved critical thinking and creativity, leading to better overall academic performance. The report indicates that students with access to the arts are more engaged in school, which is a key factor in preventing academic decline .

Americans for the Arts:

In their 2018 report, Americans for the Arts noted that cutting arts programs disproportionately affects schools in economically disadvantaged areas, exacerbating achievement gaps. The report highlights that students in schools with robust arts programs generally perform better academically and show improved social behavior, which are crucial for maintaining academic success.

Evidence Specific to Texas

Texas Cultural Trust:

The Texas Cultural Trust published a study in 2019, The Art of Education, which found that students with access to arts education perform better on standardized tests, have higher attendance rates, and are more likely to graduate. Their data showed that Texas students who participated in fine arts courses scored higher on the SAT and had better academic outcomes overall. The report also found that cutting arts programs disproportionately affects low-income and minority students, amplifying existing educational inequities .

Houston Independent School District (HISD) Study:

HISD has tracked the impact of arts education through the Arts Access Initiative, which found that schools with robust arts programs saw improvements in student engagement, attendance, and standardized test scores. Specifically, students at schools with strong arts offerings demonstrated better academic growth than those at schools without significant arts programs .

General Observations:

Cognitive and Social-Emotional Benefits: Arts education fosters critical skills such as creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional regulation, all of which contribute to academic success. The loss of arts programs may weaken students’ engagement in school and their motivation to learn, which can lead to poorer academic performance.

Impact on Disadvantaged Students:

Disadvantaged students are often the most affected by cuts to arts programs. Studies consistently show that arts education can help close achievement gaps for students from low-income and minority communities by enhancing engagement, attendance, and academic performance.