Why has implementation of arts education Western Australian schools been problematic?

What is it about?

This article argues that for successful implementation there needs to be better alignment of how arts curriculum documents and policies are understood and implemented. Is the purpose clear – do teachers understand why the arts are important in school curriculum? Are the arts in schools valued? Are teachers beliefs about what is worth teaching aligned with what they do in the classroom? Purpose, value and practice must be aligned. In addition, to improve arts education time in the subject must be considered.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Australian and Western Australian curriculum documents and policies give a place to the Arts for all students, particularly from Kindergarten to Year 8. The research on which this article is based reveals that this broad commitment is not being matched by action in classrooms and schools. Understanding why this mismatch is happening provides important insights on this situation.

Perspectives