Just as all perceptions are of figures differentiated from a larger background, a play takes place against the background of the audience's knowledge and feelings. While audience members generally bring to a performance a large body of background information--they evaluate the storyline, for example, using a lifetime of personal experience--at…

Maintains that artists seldom take an educated interest in any artistic discipline apart from their own. Suggests that students need to be allowed to confront each other with regard to the aesthetic quality of a work and suggests an interdisciplinary form like performance art could be a good starting point. (KM)

These arts standards represent a consensus concerning what every young student should know and be able to do in the arts. The Consortium of National Arts Education Associations believes that every student at every level, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, should have access to a balanced, comprehensive, and sequential program of instruction in the…

By taking a two-semester course in theatre, students in grades 10 through 12 can gain a better understanding of drama. Theatre I provides an overview of the field of theatre and serves as a prerequisite to all further theatre courses. Upon completion of the first course, students should be able to (1) respond aesthetically to theatre; (2)…

Describes how students incorporated the use of faux finishes in the construction of scenery for a school production of "Cinderella." After researching medieval castles and different types of stone surfaces, students used a sponge printing technique for exterior walls and a marbling technique for columns in the ballroom scene. (GG)

Maintains that efforts to link the arts for educational purposes have been made since the 1960s. Proposes three approaches to link visual art, dance, music and other aesthetic endeavors into one course. Concludes that, although integrating the arts is more work, the motivation for doing so rests on improved student learning. (CFR)

Asserts that the current focus on voluntary national standards has catapulted arts education into a new prominence. Discusses the background and tactics of current educational reform efforts. Concludes that, without empirical research and assessment, the proposed curricular standards will remain an educational fad. (CFR)

Examines the style and content of evaluating student achievement in arts education. Considers student and teacher roles. Advocates formative rather than summative evaluation. Outlines Bennett Reimer's seven modes of interaction with the arts, seeking a vocabulary of arts assessment. Cautions against standardized testing in the arts. (KM)