Turnaround Arts: California’s community-driven programming is centered on supporting the development and leadership of teachers and principals to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the arts in our schools. Through arts-based coaching, professional development, peer learning communities, and funding for special projects, we empower educators to create equitable, arts-rich schools where all students can succeed.
Research shows that the arts:
- Boost engagement in classroom learning
- Build self-confidence, empathy, and collaboration skills
- Support relationship and community-building
- Encourage teacher innovation and risk-taking to reach all students
- Make curriculum responsive and accessible to students from diverse backgrounds
During the 2023-2024 school year, Turnaround Arts: California supported…
The impacts we are seeing across our partner schools:
95% of teachers reported the arts had a positive impact on student engagement this year. An additional 85% reported a positive impact on academic learning and 89% reported a positive impact on social-emotional learning. A teacher at Echo Valley Elementary in Salinas shared, “My students used the skills they learned in the arts to support their learning, comprehension, and communication. Even typically shy students were sharing their ideas and feelings.”
93% reported that their school’s atmosphere and culture celebrates creativity and artistic achievements. A teacher at Zamboni Middle School in Paramount shared, “Our students have an opportunity to embrace the arts, be creative, and shine.”
83% reported that their school regularly engages families through the arts. A teacher at Abbott Elementary in Lynwood shared, “Through events like musical performances and creative workshops, families actively participate in their children’s education. This has fostered stronger relationships between families and the school and enriched the learning experience for students.”
A three-year program evaluation of the national Turnaround Arts pilot schools found significant improvement in academic achievement, reduction in disciplinary referrals and increases in attendance, among other findings. In addition, the study found that Turnaround Arts pilot schools outperformed comparable schools that received federal School Improvement Grants (SIG) in their regions. Read the full evaluation report here.
*Turnaround Art: California’s program design aligns with research on school reform which points to the multiple factors that lead to school improvement. For example, the University of Chicago found that schools strong in at least 3 of these 5 categories were ten times more likely to improve student learning: Effective principals, collaborative teachers, supportive environment, involved families, and ambitious instruction. (Byrk, Anthony S. (2010). Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. The University of Chicago Press.)