Observing the Quality of Integrating the Arts Into Elementary School Reading Instruction

• In Event: Poster Session 20
  In Poster Session: Quantitative Approaches to the Evaluation of Literacy Programs and Instruction for Elementary and Secondary Students

Abstract

A team of evaluators collaborated with project personnel to develop a valid, reliable, and useful observation instrument for examining the quality of implementation of teachers’ use of drama and dance teaching strategies. The strategies were integrated into reading instruction for the purposes of helping improve elementary school children’s reading achievement, engagement in school, and interest in the arts. The instrument addresses a gap in literature on methods for examining the integration of the arts into elementary school instruction. We report findings that provide evidence for the reliability and validity of data collected with the instrument and show how a single observation instrument can be used to provide formative teacher assessment data, formative program evaluation data, and summative program evaluation data.

Authors

• Paul R. Brandon, University of Hawaii - Manoa

• George M. Harrison, University of Hawaii at Manoa

• Brian E. Lawton, University of Hawaii - Manoa