WWC review of this study

The Beaverton School District Arts for Learning (A4L) Lessons Project, an Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Grant: Student Impact Findings from Years 1, 2, and 3

Nakamoto, Jonathan; Sobolew-Shubin, Sandy; Orland, Martin (2015). WestEd. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED560945

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    11,829
     Students
    , grades
    3-5

Reviewed: January 2017

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Literacy Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Grade: 3;
2,285 students

0.34

0.29

No

--

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Grade: 3, 4;
6,915 students

0.29

0.30

No

--

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Grade: 3, 4, 5;
11,829 students

0.25

0.28

No

--
Show Supplemental Findings

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Grade: 4 ELL;
84 students

25.73

19.65

Yes

 
 
31

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Grade: 4 ELL;
202 students

28.30

22.79

Yes

 
 
25

Comprehensive Cross-Unit (CCU) Assessments

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

2 Years

Grade: 2;
789 students

25.88

22.66

Yes

 
 
14

Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) Reading/Literature assessment

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Grade: 4 ELL;
242 students

25.31

22.34

Yes

 
 
14

Comprehensive Cross-Unit (CCU) Assessments

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Grade: 4;
517 students

26.08

23.53

Yes

 
 
12

Comprehensive Cross-Unit (CCU) Assessments

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Grade: 4;
954 students

24.90

22.20

Yes

 
 
12

Comprehensive Cross-Unit (CCU) Assessments

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

1 Year

Grade: 3;
883 students

20.30

18.70

Yes

 
 
9

Comprehensive Cross-Unit (CCU) Assessments

Arts for Learning Lessons Project vs. Business as usual

3 Years

Grade: 3;
827 students

19.74

18.71

Yes

 
 
6


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • 20% English language learners

  • 48% Minority
    • B
    • A
    • C
    • D
    • E
    • F
    • G
    • I
    • H
    • J
    • K
    • L
    • P
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • Q
    • R
    • S
    • V
    • U
    • T
    • W
    • X
    • Z
    • Y
    • a
    • h
    • i
    • b
    • d
    • e
    • f
    • c
    • g
    • j
    • k
    • l
    • m
    • n
    • o
    • p
    • q
    • r
    • s
    • t
    • u
    • x
    • w
    • y

    Oregon

Setting

The study took place in the Beaverton School District in Beaverton, Oregon. The intervention was implemented in 16 control schools in the district in grades 3, 4, and 5 beginning in 2011 and ending in 2014.

Study sample

Schools in the treatment group contained 19% ELL students, 42% students on free/reduced lunch, and were overall comprised of 48% minority students. Schools in the control groups contained 20% ELL students, 41% students on free/reduced lunch, and were overall comprised of 48% minority students.

Intervention Group

A4L lessons are described as a supplementary literacy curriculum "that blends the creativity and discipline of the arts with learning science to raise student achievement in reading and writing, as well as to develop learning and life skills" (p.5). Two A4L Lessons Units and one teaching artist Residency were implemented in each intervention classroom per year. Each A4L unit is comprised of 10-19 lessons, and the instructional time for each unit varies from 13-20 hours. The residencies are designed to allow for a focused study of the art form while also reinforcing the literacy learning. Students work in groups throughout the units and practice giving public presentations. The units also put a focus on skills such as critical thinking and creative problem solving.

Comparison Group

Control classrooms implemented "status-quo". No other details provided.

Support for implementation

Support for implementation is not described in the report.

 

Your export should download shortly as a zip archive.

This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

Connect With the WWC

loading
back to top