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The National Art Education Association is committed to an ongoing research effort aimed at improving visual arts education. Toward this end, a coordinated planning and research strategy involving all levels of membership will be developed that addresses major research needs in the field of visual arts education. NAEA proposes to invite and support participation in research efforts by offering technical assistance and facilitating communications between individuals and groups engaged in visual arts education research that addresses issues relevant to art teaching and student learning in a variety of educational contexts. When feasible, cooperative research efforts for gathering and interpreting data will be encouraged. Provisions will be made, when appropriate, for exchanging and cross-referencing findings. Such a research network has the potential for national and international exchanges of information.
It should be emphasized that research efforts being encouraged by NAEA will be directed at all levels of art education, from preschool through lifelong learning, in a variety of contexts both within and beyond schools, from a variety of populations with differing economic, social, racial, cultural, and gender perspectives. Collaborations will be encouraged among a wide range of professionals who use a variety of research methodologies appropriate for answering questions aimed at furthering quality visual arts education.
The 1994–1995 Research Agenda is currently under review and revision by the Research Committee. Various educational policies, including those related to “No Child Left Behind” have impacted research needs at every level of art education and the Committee will be requesting input from the entire membership as it sets forward a new agenda in 2008. The Research Committee goals are to:
- review and update the 1994-95 version of the NAEA Research Agenda and the Research Commission's 2005 Report to construct, facilitate leadership for, and sustain a pro-active research agenda.
- develop a Plan of Action for updating and aligning the Research Agenda and 2005 Report with the NAEA 2007 – 2010 Strategic Plan and beyond. Offer research-related items for inclusion in Strategic Plan revisions.
- review research needs submitted by members of the all membership sectors of NAEA including Divisions, Regions and Issues Groups to consider how the organizational infra-structure could be utilized or changed to support recommended research-to-policy initiatives and more efficiently disseminate information.
- develop a proposal for ways NAEA members could more effectively inter-act and contribute to a network of researchers using electronic media.
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