Staff Reports
INDIANA — The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently released its latest report on the Partnering Arts, Communities, and Education (PACE) program.
Written by Purdue University’s Dr. F. Robert Sabol, the PACE Project Report reflects a collection of data on student growth. The report shows that, through arts integration, students gain knowledge and understanding in the arts and in literacy skills. This research demonstrates that the arts create important pathways to learning for students, and learning through the arts produces long-lasting, positive impacts.
The data shows that when there is a highly qualified teaching artist embedded in the school’s learning, students benefit.
The PACE program model introduces local arts professionals into the classroom once a week for the entire school year connecting art with language arts lessons. Teachers who have been involved for several years find benefit in the arts activities as well as the social-emotional development for their students.
Students increased all areas of knowledge and skills, specifically:
Students writing skills increased an average of 18 percent
Student art skills increased an average of 28 percent
Student engagement in school increased an average of 15 percent
Student communication skills increased an average of 14 percent
The PACE program has supported 1,635 students in their learning since 2015, serving schools in Michigan City, Indianapolis, Nashville, New Albany, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, Terre Haute, Marion and South Bend. All schools participating in the PACE program meet eligibility criteria of high percentages of free and reduced lunches and below state average of the percentage of students passing state testing.
Read the 2020 PACE summary at in.gov/arts/files/IAC_2020-PACE-Recap.pdf.
For more information about the PACE program, contact Stephanie Haines at (317) 232-1274 or email [email protected].
