NAEP Arts 2008, Part Two: What do the headlines say?

Just the fact that there are headlines, is of course, a good thing.

It is interesting to see how this is being reported, particularly from the headline perspective. It's an amazing statement on how this is being reported, which in turn raises great questions as to whether these reporters understand the issues, do any analysis, or simply just print the press release.

It's also interesting to note the lack of comments from authoritative figures. Most of the pieces carry a quote from NAEP officials, and yes, Arne Duncan issued a statement. There are a couple of pieces with a comment from the National Endowment for the Arts.

But where is Diane Ravitch? What about Randi Weingarten? What about some of the big name school superintendents or school board presidents? How about a word on this from Checker Finn?

You've got the positive headlines: "Visual arts, music, stand as core component..." "Proportion of Schools Offering the Arts Stays the Same." "NAEP Finds Schools' Offerings in Arts Holds Steady."

You've got the negative headlines: "Study Finds Instruction in Art Lags in 8th Grade." Which was initially released yesterday as "Mediocre Arts Skills for American Eighth Graders."

You've got the fence sitting headline: "National Arts Test Scores offer Clouded Picture."

You've even got the insider headline: "What does 'P' in music mean? Twenty percent of students know." I have to say, with some embarrassment, that when I first read that headline, I found it confusing. Of course I know what p stands for as part of musical notation, hey, I have two music degrees from Juilliard (that's called playing the Juilliard card, which ordinarily doesn't count for much). That being said, my brain couldn't decode the "p" as part of text, out of context.

Here are nine headlines from a Google search this morning:

Nation's Report Card on the Arts for 2008 released

Study Finds Instruction in Art Lags in 8th Grade

National arts test scores offer clouded picture

What does 'p' in music mean? Twenty percent of US students know.

Picture is unclear on arts instruction in schools

Frequency of Arts Instruction Remains Steady Since 1997 on the ...

Proportion of Schools Offering the Arts Stays About the Same