Arts experiences can reduce disciplinary infractions, increase students’ engagement, and improve writing skills, says a new study by the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
Forty-two Houston schools, representing more than 10,500 students in grades 3-8, were assigned by lottery to take part in the Arts Access Initiative, through which schools receive influxes of arts education via community partnerships, local art organizations, cultural institutions, and teaching artists.
Researchers found schools that increased students’ access to arts education had 3.6 percentage points fewer students receiving disciplinary infractions, 0.13 of a standard deviation higher writing performance on Texas state tests, and significantly higher scores on a survey of students’ sense of compassion for others.
