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The research compendium Critical Links contains a diverse collection of studies that examine how arts learning experiences affect the academic achievement and social development of children and youth. It includes summaries of studies conducted in five major art form areas: dance, drama, visual arts, music and multi-arts. As the title implies, the research provides critical evidence linking study of the arts with student achievement and success. More than 65 distinct relationships between the arts and academic and social outcomes are documented. They include such associations as: visual arts instruction and reading readiness; dramatic enactment and conflict resolution skills; traditional dance and nonverbal reasoning; and learning piano and mathematics proficiency. Based on these findings, the compendium has identified six major types of benefits associated with studyof the arts and student achievement:14

1. READING AND LANGUAGE SKILLS
2. MATHEMATICS SKILLS
3. THINKING SKILLS
4. SOCIAL SKILLS
5. MOTIVATION TO LEARN
6. POSITIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

One convenient way to sum up how study of the arts benefits student achievement is the recognition that learning in the arts is academic, basic and comprehensive. It is as simple as
A-B-C.