Impact of arts participation on children's achievement: A systematic literature review. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jindal-Snape, Divya; Davies, Dan; Scott, Rosalind; Robb, Anna; Murray, Chris; Harkins, Chris
• Is Part Of: Thinking skills and creativity. Volume 29(2018)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Art -- Participation -- Impact -- Nursery -- Primary school -- Secondary school -- Community -- Achievement -- Systematic literature review; Thought and thinking -- Periodicals; Critical thinking -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Creative thinking -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Thinking -- Periodicals; Creativeness -- Periodicals; Teaching -- Periodicals; Pensée -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Créativité (Éducation) -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; 370.15205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2018.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1871-1871

Abstract

Highlights: High-quality, longer term arts education programmes can enhance academic achievement. The length and integrated nature of such programmes is crucial to their success. More robust and longitudinal research designs are required to measure impact. Abstract: This paper reports on a systematic literature review to examine the association between children and young people's participation in arts activities and their academic achievement. The 24 studies that met our criteria for inclusion and weight of evidence (2004–16) had mixed findings. Whilst many of the research designs employed would not meet positivist criteria for rigour – such as sample size, statistical significance and causality – typically required by public bodies to justify expenditure, there are examples throughout the literature reviewed of academically-related benefits to participants, such as increased confidence, creativity or more positive attitude towards their studies. Overall, there appears to be some justification from the literature for public investment in high-quality, long-term arts education programmes for children and young people in schools and community settings, on the basis of its potential to enhance academic achievement. However, there may be more intrinsic benefits to arts participation than the instrumental, essentially economic justification of improved academic standards.