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For many years, educators of the fine and performing arts have worked to have the arts taken seriously in schools. Unfortunately, the arts are the first to be cut in times of budget challenges and remain underused as a tool for increasing student achievement. Research by the National Endowment for the Arts demonstrates that the arts complement and enhance learning in academic subjects, electives, and extracurricular activities. They offer an alternative venue for demonstrating learning and understanding. They are enjoyed by all students, but are especially helpful in promoting success among students who have difficulty with standard reading and writing milieus.

As you engage in this module, reflect on your personal experiences with the fine and performing arts as mediums for active learning and for teaching reading. Engaging in the sections entitled Recommended Actions will assist you in understanding your role as an educator who can use fine and performing arts in innovative ways in your classroom.

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Start the module: Chapter 1: Introduction