Art Education in a Climate of Reform: The Need for Measurable Goals in Art Instruction

Agreeing on what the major goals of art education should be is critically important, especially in an era of national school reform and accountability. The need to be accountable and to provide data that supports that accountability is clearly evident, although not always provided by art teachers in today’s schools. Without clear and measurable goals, art education cannot be made accountable in today’s reform climate. This book first analyses the changes in the social context of art and how these changes have impacted K-12 and university-level education. The changes described, plus the current culture of accountability, have led many arts educators to question the goal or message of arts-based curriculum. The authors reaffirm art’s place in education by describing it as not just a discipline or form, but an idea, even a language. Finally, it is contended that art is a social enterprise essential to a complete education.