The Present Conditions and Perspectives in Nine-Year Continuous Art Education : Cooperation Between Elementary School and Lower Secondary School

Abstract

This article focused upon the nine-year continuous art education from grade 1 to 9. In this study the new educational system combining elementary and lower secondary school in the model schools admitted by Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT) was outlined. Also, the art education policy in the art and craft section of the Japanese National Course of Study was reviewed. The literature review of the MEXT model schools and the private educational study groups was implemented to clarify the present conditions and perspectives in the art education practices in terms of the following issues: (1) the art educational policy between elementary and lower secondary school, (2) the features of art educational practices in the model schools by MEXT, (3) the features of art educational practices in the private study groups, (4) the key points for the implementation of the nine-year continuous curriculum frame work