| This investigation attempted to identify the origin of theoretical, philosophical, and methodological concepts through frequency of inclusion in the journals, Art Education and Studies in Art Education, from 1948 through 1988. The study pertained to American art education, kindergarten through the twelfth grade. By focusing on the past, present fragmentary belief systems and practices may be better understood by art educators. The related literature search did not reveal any studies concerning the development of conceptual patterns or trends. Thus, the data generated from this study may, in part, compensate for the omission of information on conceptual development in the field of art education.;The ten concepts identified through related literature and relevant selected journals were: aesthetic education, art for special needs, creativity, environmental influences/ecology, evaluation, humanistic education, integrated activities/interdisciplinary approach, multicultural education, sensory perception, and emergent trends. These concepts and related subdescriptors were cited in the Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors and the Education Index.;Three forms of article identification and categorization were necessary for this investigation: a panel of 22 independent raters evaluated articles that appeared prior to indexing from 1948 through June of 1961, the Education Index was used from July of 1961 through 1969, and the Educational Resource Index Center was utilized for article identification from 1970 through 1988. A total of 1,115 pertinent publications were identified, categorized, charted, and analyzed. The frequency distribution of each concept and subdescriptor was determined from 1948 through 1988 and by selected decades. Frequency distribution charts were utilized to identify possible trends or patterns. Those categories cited most consistently in the selected journals were aesthetic education, evaluation, and emergent trends. In descending order of inclusion were art for special needs, integrated activities/interdisciplinary approach, creativity, sensory perception, humanistic education, multicultural education, and environmental influences/ecology. |
