Assessment and Research

The Institute has developed assessment tools based on two works: Beyond Arts Integration: Defining Learning in Arts Education Partnerships by Dr. Robert Horowitz, Associate Director of the Center for the Arts Education Research at Teachers College, Columbia University and HighScope Educational research Foundation's Youth Quality Program Assessment (YPQA). Our assessment work looks at:

Motivation Self-confidence Cooperative Learning Elaboration Ownership of Education Teacher buy-in Teacher seeing students in new light Supportive environment Interaction with staff Engagement of youth

See our first report.
See our assessment chart.

Some powerful findings include:

100% of AIE teachers interviewed reported that "isolated students opened up to other students through their arts infused experiences."

82% of AIE students interviewed said they like school more when they have AIE classes and another 13% of the students had mixed opinion--95% total! Principals also noted that attendance improves on those days that AIE is in the building as well.

83% of AIE teachers report that the program "helped me expand the way I teach" and 92% of AIE teachers report that they use reflective practice more with their students after having seen its effectiveness in the AIE programs.

Teachers and principals both have indicated anecdotally that students' MEAP and Report Card scores have increased due to the program, especially "reluctant learners" and English Second Language learners. As one students says: "I just like the artists coming in because I get better grades than I get the rest of year."

100% of AIE teachers noted increased students self-confidence. From a teacher: "Their self-confidence has been elevated to the highest ... and I had somewhat shyer students early in the year. You could come in my room now and people just feel a vibe in my room."

92% of AIE teachers noted increased opportunities to write which helped develop literacy.