In this action research project I am studying Wellsville High School.  Wellsville is a small town located in New York.  The high school consists of 438 students and 27 teachers.  The breakdown of ethnicity and gender of Wellsville's student body, is based on data reported to the governement is 3% of total minority enrollment.  The eithinicity of Wellsville is 97% white, 2% Asian, 1% Hispanic, and black.  Wellsville High School is 46% male and 53% female.  The percentages of the school's students eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch, based on data reported to the government are 28%  free lunch, and 9% reduced price lunch.  In English proficiency distribution, student exit exams receieve grades among multiple proficiency levels established by the state.  The figures show what the students have accomplished in different subjects.

The total number of students tested were 87; 5% of them did not meet the standards, 6% of the students partially meet the learning standards, 43% met the standards and 47% met the standards with distinction.

     

           The specific class at Wellsville High School that I will be studying is a portfolio class of 12 students.  Eight of them will be seniors, two juniors, and one sophomore.  My information about how to help student write an aritst statement will come from, articles, blogs of aritsts, and teacher of art and of literacy.  In the data that I will collect I will be looking for, (a) simple steps for writing an aritst statement (see appendix one), (b) literature that supports my goal, and (c) examples of well written artist statements.