Program Evaluation: El Museo del Barrio School Programs

El Museo del Barrio approached Randi Korn & Associates, Inc. (RK&A) to evaluate a couple of their school programs Classroom Connections and El Museo in the Classroom that target high school students, particularly those in under-served schools. Data were collected at two participating schools in May 2009. Primarily, data were collected through in-depth interviews with students, although RK&A also observed the programs for context. Due to the small sample size, findings are truly representative of students at only the two participating schools, and in the report, the two schools are discussed separately overall. However, there were parallels between the findings at the two schools and they are, most generally: Students learned that art is expressive and conveys meaning; previously students said they thought about art simply pretty and interesting. Through the program, students began to consider and sometimes questions their notions of identity. Because the assignments at each school differed, students at one school talked more about personal identity, while at the other school, students talked about their identity within the community. Most of the students in both programs seemed to participate fully in the program. In fact, the way students described their experiences seemed to indicate a sense of empowerment in knowing that they were making something of their own creation. Students in both programs developed greater observation and interpretation skills, although these skills were highly linked to the focus of the two programs. For example, students who participated in the program that explored community often said that they became more aware of their environment; this was particularly true for students who acted as the photographer in their group.