Does Art Make You Smart? Longitudinal Experiment of the Effects of Multiple Arts-Focused Field Trips

• In Event: 21.060 - Fairmont Royal York Roundtable Session Two
  In Roundtable Session: 21.060-1 - Contributions to Equity Through Systems, School Choice, Teachers, and Arts

Abstract

As federal and state high-stakes accountability has increased, focus on students’ test scores has intensified. Schools have shifted time and resources towards math and reading preparation. Traditionally, schools have been expected to teach more than just math and reading. Despite the traditional priority schools gave to going on field trips to culturally enriching institutions, these field trips are declining. Previous research has shown correlations between culturally enriching activities on student academic and socioemotional outcomes. We expand the current literature by using experimental methods and evaluating the effects of multiple art-focused field trips on student outcomes. We estimate the causal impacts of field trips on a variety of student socioemotional outcomes, interest in arts activities, and student test scores.

Authors

• Molly Beck, University of Arkansas

• Jay p.. Greene, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Heidi Holmes Erickson, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Angela Watson, University of Arkansas