School administrators across the country are receiving the message that Theatre Counts, thanks to a new report from the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) developed with the support of with EdTA and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. AEP is sponsored by the Education Commission of the States, the national clearinghouse of educational data and resources serving K-12 education leaders throughout the country.
Theatre Counts: How Theatre Education Transforms Students’ Lives is an in-depth research-based report that highlights the value of theatre education for all students across multiple areas of learning. Supported by vetted research throughout, Theatre Counts details how the process and product of theatre experiences create a lifelong positive impact on students in three fundamental ways:
- promotion of identity and growth
- building of empathy and relationships among peers
- empowerment of participants to transform their understanding of their place in the world
The report is an important public validation for theatre education and can serve as powerful tool for advocates seeking recognition and funding for in- and after-school theatre programs, said EdTA policy and advocacy advisor James Palmarini.
“What’s important about this report is that it is data-driven, based on rigorous research, and has been issued by the nation’s most respected national voice for arts education,” he said. “I would strongly encourage our teachers and other theatre education supporters to download Theatre Counts and share it with their principals, school boards, and parents.”
Download a PDF version of Theatre Counts.
Theatre Counts is the fourth in a series of arts discipline reports showcasing how the arts subject areas can serve as a rigorous and integral part of every child’s K-12 education. You can view all the reports on AEP’s website.
