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Capstone Abstracts /
Ramos Capstone 2012


30 April 2012, 15:14

ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN MANHATTAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:  DECISIONS MADE BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN RESPONSE TO THE 2007 TO 2009 RECESSION

 

BY

CHRIS D. RAMOS

 
Abstract

 

            The purpose of this interpretive qualitative case study was to analyze how decisions made by Manhattan public schools’ administrators impact the past and/or current arts education programs of the schools in response to the economic downturn of 2007 to 2009 recession.  The major research questions of the study examined what was the historical pattern in the past 5 to 10 years for the support of arts education programs, what course of action [internal/external] did the public school administrators implement in order to sustain the current arts education programs, did the course of action implement a permanent or temporary commitments, and what was the reasoning offered by the school administrators for their decisions regarding the current schools’ arts education programs.

            Thirteen of twenty four targeted Manhattan public schools participated in the interview and survey.  Interviews and surveys were transcribed, and then coded in the analysis using content analysis.  The findings indicated a uniformed negative impact of the recession not just the funding availability but also the attitude of the faculty, parents, administrators and NYC Board of Education toward the value and cost effectiveness of arts education in city public schools.  In addition, the findings depicted the actions of the schools administrators in sustaining their current arts education programs.  The study concluded with recommendations and suggestions to further increase the positive awareness of arts education programs in city public schools.

 

Keywords:  Arts Education, Recession, Manhattan public schools, New York City Board of Education, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Annenberg Foundation, The Center for Arts Education

 

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