The Arts in Schools of Choice

Since the Every Student Succeeds Act became law, states have taken advantage of opportunities to engage the arts more broadly in education policy— from including the arts in STEMeducation to using the arts as a strategy to meet the needs of underserved youth. At the same time, many states’ policy agendas address school choice, with ongoing discussion by champions and critics alike. However, many states have yet to consider the policy landscape for the intersection of arts education and school choice. Schools of choice include charter, magnet, open enrollment, private and home-schools; and policies such as education savings accounts, scholarship tax credits and vouchers allow parents to use public dollars to pay for private school options. 

Regardless of whether a student attends a traditional public school or school of choice, access to a high-quality education remains a priority for policymakers, school and district leaders, and parents. Arts education has a demonstrated impact on student achievement and social outcomes, and these outcomes are particularly significantfor students from historically underserved communities. While researchers have not widely explored the connection between arts education and school choice policies, increased understanding of this intersection and potential opportunities to engage the arts may allow policymakers to better support at-risk students, who have been shown to experience increased benefitsfrom arts participation.

This Policy Brief highlights how states currently address schools of choice within policy, including those that intersect with arts education, and explores further opportunities to engage the arts in statewide policies and practices.