American Students' Progress in the Arts Found to be "Mediocre" in Government Report

On June 15th, the federal government released a national report card on achievement in the arts among 8th graders.  This long-awaited report finds that since 1997, our nation's students have not made significant progress in developing their skills and knowledge in the arts. A nationally representative sample of over 7,900 eighth grade students from public and private schools participated in the NAEP Arts Assessment in 2008. Students were measured on their ability to create and respond to the visual arts; whereas, the study scaled back on music questions and only measured a student's ability to respond and identify music.  As reported in the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, and USAToday, the findings are "mediocre," "lackluster," and "may make America's arts instructors kind of blue."

However, new U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave a strong reaction in support of arts education, "This Arts Report Card should challenge all of us to make K-12 arts programs more available to America's children ...We can and should do better for America's students."

As you may know, Americans for the Arts has been leading a national effort to increase federal funding and to strengthen the role of the arts in the classroom through legislative efforts in Congress.  We have published a set of legislative recommendations that calls for changes to the problematic No Child Left Behind Act. Our schools need greater support for arts education.  

To raise awareness of the importance of arts education, we have also been leading, along with The Ad Council, the NAMM Foundation and hundreds of local, state, and national campaign partners, a public service awareness campaign titled, "The Arts. Ask For More." currently airing on radio and television and appearing in print media.  In the television and radio ads, the arts are equated with a healthy diet; just like kids need healthy foods on a daily basis, kids need their daily serving of the arts. Included in the campaign is a list of "10 Simple Ways," detailing how parents can get involved in their child's arts education.

ACDA is an active partner with Arts in America and is helping lead the charge to keep arts as a critical part of America’s well-rounded school curriculum. Please help us take action on this important education effort by sending a message or letter to your member of Congress let your voice be heard. 

You may also us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund.