Dramatic Impact of Arts-Based Teaching on At-Risk Students: Three Action Research Studies

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Action Research Posters: Many Ways to Learn About Practice

Abstract

This study explores how arts-based teaching (ABT) impacted at-risk students in three action researches. ABT is defined as using arts, music, drama, and dance in teaching other subjects. The action researches took one year to complete their first cycle of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Participants were an emotionally disturbed first grade boy whose father was recently killed violently, four six-grade students with learning disorder, and a class from a probation high school. Photo-elicitation combined with narrative inquiry, drama in English language arts, and visual arts in high school world history was integrated. Various observational notes, interviews, surveys, assessments were collected and analyzed. Data analysis shows dramatic impact of ABT on the at-risk students’ behavior, motivation, and academic achievement.

Authors

• Xin Li, California State University - Long Beach

• Patricia Kenzy, Long Beach Unified School District

• Laura Severson, Los Angleles Unified School District

• Lou Ellen Underwood, Long Beach Unified School District