The Arts and Postsecondary Success

Postsecondary success: It's a hot topic across the country, around the state, and at the A+ office. What is one key for moving kids to succeed after high school? Some studies are finding clear evidence that arts programming does make a difference.

Houston A+ Challenge has supported fine arts integration efforts for more than 10 years, helping schools such as Anderson Academy (see above) embed fine arts across the curriculum. Through A+ grants, teams of school leaders have sought out professional development and programming in fine arts from community partners like the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Writers in the School, Young Audiences, the Alley Theatre, MECA, or the Richards Institute. With this professional development and Houston A+ Challenge's Critical Friends Group Coaching Development, schools equip themselves to plan and develop curriculum that embeds the fine arts in all content areas.

The results have been encouraging. Increases in student engagement, parental involvement, teacher collaboration around meaningful work, and student achievement have all been documented by Houston A+ Challenge's network of fine arts integration schools.

Helms Community Learning Center in Houston ISD offers one compelling example. Ask the students of Helms what art has to do with math, and they will begin to tell you about patterns, translations, symmetry and other concepts. Teachers at Helms have utilized the arts to move students from rote memorization of ideas to utilizing key mathematical concepts in artwork. Students analyze and problem solve as they build ways to embed the math into their art, and vice-versa. They communicate in writing by reflecting on their work. And it doesn't stop there -- students know that their work will be displayed at community art events and in some cases sold at auction. A whole-school focus on the arts is moving students to develop essential skills that they will need in the future.

Houston recognizes the fine arts as a vehicle for leading youth on a pathway to success beyond high school, and thus advocates for future programming in the arts. For more information about Houston A+ Challenge's fine arts work and its results, contact Betsy Breier.