The arts lead to economic and academic success.
Data from the Texas Cultural Trust shows that the arts generate $5.1 billion for our state’s economy and prepare students to be key contributors to our economy in the future.
Arts education helps ensure a successful future for Texas students, preparing them to be the innovators, problem solvers, and leaders we need. Consider the finding that arts education improves school attendance, or that students who complete more arts classes have up to 15% higher pass rates on standardized tests than students with fewer arts classes. Or that at-risk high school students who complete more than one art class are half as likely to drop out.
The arts perform for Texas students. But which Texas students have access to arts education?
Who has access?
We set out to answer that question and are pleased to report that now, for the first time, we have a full picture of what access to arts education looks like in every public school district in Texas.
And the results are promising.
Clearly, ART CAN make a difference for Texas children. Visit our State of the Arts Map, to see what the picture of arts access looks like in your school district, and then take action to ensure that your child gets more arts education in school.
Discoveries
Students in districts that met the state accountability standard had more than twice the unique arts courses to choose from and earned up to 26% more arts credits than students in districts that needed improvement.
Secondary schools that met the state accountability standard offered 50% more unique arts courses on average than schools that needed improvement.
Middle and Secondary schools in districts that met the state accountability standard offered more than twice as many unique arts courses on average than schools in districts that needed improvement.