Opinion: Arts are Essential for Boosting Student Engagement & Attendance

Chronic absenteeism has reached alarming levels, with recent data indicating that in 20 states, over 30% of students are missing school frequently nearly double pre-pandemic figures. This issue is complex, as absences are not always related to academics. Students may disengage due to feeling disconnected from school, a lack of stimulating coursework, or external challenges outside the classroom. One simple yet impactful solution may lie in creative outlets: music rooms, art studios, and performance spaces that allow students to shine.

Despite extensive research, arts education continues to be treated as optional, often dependent on school budgets. Between 2015 and 2019, the NAMM Foundation conducted a study across 1,700 New York City public schools serving over 1.1 million students. Schools offering music and arts programs reported lower chronic absenteeism and higher overall attendance. A seven-year cohort study also showed dropout rates dropped from 30% to 6% among students consistently involved in arts programs. Clearly, engagement in the arts enhances resilience, academic involvement, and graduation rates.

Long-term tracking of over 22,000 students by the National Dropout Prevention Center found that those highly involved in the arts were five times more likely to graduate high school than peers with minimal arts participation. Yet, while over 90% of Americans value arts in education, only 66% of students engage in it, and access remains uneven. Charter schools, the fastest-growing segment of public education, are particularly lacking: only 37% of charter high schools offer arts instruction. Students in charter schools, homeschool programs, or military families often face the fewest opportunities to access arts education, despite benefiting from it most.

Creative Learning and Student Engagement

The Cathedral Arts Project in Jacksonville, Florida, is addressing this gap. Partnering with the Florida Department of Education, the program piloted a year-long arts initiative in 2024-25, reaching over 400 students in charter schools, homeschools, military families, and crisis care settings. Weekly visits from teaching artists provided instruction in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Students from kindergarten through high school experienced confidence, joy, and connection through creative learning.

Homeschool students explored history through art, children from military families gained stability during deployments, and young people facing crises discovered new ways to express themselves. The program highlighted the power of arts to help students envision possibilities. Data analysis with the Florida Data Science for Social Good program at the University of North Florida showed participants developed artistic skills alongside self-confidence, teamwork, problem-solving, and engagement. Over 86% of students reported increased persistence and the ability to tackle difficult tasks.

Families also observed positive changes: nearly 75% reported improvements in in-person social interaction and emotional control, while about one-third noted growth in creative problem-solving and resilience. Surveys like the State of Educational Opportunity in America reflect parents recognition of the arts as a crucial educational tool, with many actively seeking programs that combine creativity with academic growth.

Floridas approach shows the value of arts programs for school choice families, who often lack access to structured arts instruction. Programs such as this provide essential opportunities for students who would otherwise miss out, filling a critical gap in education. The effectiveness of arts lies in its combination of structure, expression, and connection. Through creative learning, students navigate challenges, develop resilience, and experience the satisfaction of persistence skills vital for both academic and future professional success.

Investing in arts education is not a luxury; it is essential for student achievement. Other states should follow Floridas lead and recognize the arts as a core component of effective education.

Author's Opinion: The Urgent Need for Creative Learning in Addressing Chronic Absenteeism

The alarming rise in chronic absenteeism presents a challenge that demands immediate action. As highlighted by recent data, more than 30% of students in 20 states are frequently missing school, nearly doubling the pre-pandemic figures. While this issue is multifaceted, one solution stands out: creative learning opportunities, such as music, art, and performance programs. These activities not only engage students but also serve as powerful tools to foster resilience and connection to the school environment.

Despite substantial research demonstrating the positive impact of arts education on student engagement and attendance, it remains an underfunded and often optional component of schooling. Evidence from the NAMM Foundation’s study across New York City schools shows that institutions offering music and arts programs consistently report lower rates of absenteeism and higher graduation rates. This connection should not be overlooked. It is evident that arts education is not a mere enrichment activity, but a crucial factor in fostering a positive learning environment and improving educational outcomes.

The success of arts programs, such as the Cathedral Arts Project in Jacksonville, Florida, illustrates how creative outlets can be particularly transformative for marginalized student groups, including those in charter schools, homeschool settings, or military families. These programs give students the opportunity to express themselves, build confidence, and develop essential life skills like problem-solving and persistence. The data shows that students involved in these initiatives demonstrate a higher degree of social interaction, emotional regulation, and academic persistence.

Florida’s approach to integrating arts education into the lives of underserved students sets a strong example for other states. The positive outcomes observed, including improved academic engagement and emotional development, underscore the importance of incorporating creative learning into the educational system. It is not a luxury but a necessity. If we are to combat chronic absenteeism effectively, investing in arts programs should be recognized as a key solution to the problem.

To address absenteeism and the broader engagement crisis, it is essential that more states follow Florida's example, ensuring that arts education is available to all students, regardless of their background or school type. The arts are not an add-on to the educational experience—they are fundamental to student success, both in the classroom and beyond.

Sources:

• Opinion: The Arts Aren’t ‘Nice to Have’ — They Can Boost Student Engagement & Attendance