The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI), a collective impact partnership among the Austin Independent School District (AISD), the city of Austin, and MINDPOP (an arts partnership dedicated to expanding creative learning in Austin and representing over 50 arts and cultural agencies), created arts-rich schools at a rate that exceeded the benchmark…

These maps represent a selection of the 2013-2014 AISD Fine Arts Inventory survey results. The purpose of the maps is to illustrate the scope of fine arts representation in Austin Independent School District (AISD) schools.

This report describes the implementation of arts-based instruction during in-school and out-of-school times. Specifically, it summarizes the results of four components of the inventory: (a) sequential fine arts instruction during school, (b) community arts experiences during school, (c) out-of-school time arts opportunities on campus, and (d)…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the use of Readers' Theatre to improve the reading ability of elementary students receiving special education services. In this study, two groups of students were chosen to participate based on their academic Reading levels and their placement in the Special Education program. The students'…

As a result of the 2001 legislation, No Child Left Behind elementary schools across the United States focus has turned to testing and accountability often neglecting arts in education. Despite numerous studies of the benefits that the arts can have not only in the social-emotional development of students but in conjunction with the recent research…

This paper researches how teachers can successfully incorporate Theater Arts into their daily schedules and lesson plans without necessarily teaching a lesson on the subject itself. A common problem that teachers face is not being able to engage students in the learning process; likewise, the students do not retain much of what they are taught.…

The purpose of this project, which the author as a mentor has realized during the 2006/2007, was to invent new Educational model, to fill the gap in Education by showing the positive influence of Multimedia Art, especially Multimedia Performance on Permanent Learning at the level of primary school students, college students and teachers or on…

A number of studies of the effects of drama on individuals' cognitive and affective characteristics have been carried out recently. These studies revealed that drama had positive impact on students' development of communication skills, socialization levels, development of emotional intelligence, social skills, empathic skills and empathic…

This action research project was developed in order to increase student literacy, particularly in the area of reading, for students who were considered at-risk. The targeted student population was 2nd grade students who were served within a primary cross-categorical special education program. The classroom was housed in an elementary (K-2) school,…

This collection of essays explores various arts education-specific evaluation tools, as well as considers Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the design of evaluation instruments and strategies. Prominent evaluators Donna M. Mertens, Robert Horowitz, Dennie Palmer Wolf, and Gail Burnaford are…