Information is presented from a study of achievement and interest among students in age groups nine, 13, and 17 in the area of art education. Major objectives of the study were to generate information on how much time students spend enjoying works of art, how important they perceive art to be, how they evaluate works of art, what types of art they prefer, and differences among art activities and attitudes of students in different socioeconomic groups. The document is presented in five chapters. Chapter I concentrates on students' appreciation of art. Findings indicated that substantial numbers of students value art and pursue it in some form. Chapter II presents detailed information about student perceptions of art. Findings indicated that a majority of young people appreciate art but do not indicate a broad or sophisticated understanding of the nature or function of art in American culture. Chapters III and IV examine young people's general criteria for evaluating works of art. The final chapter offers conclusions, including that students have little experience with art museums and galleries, display varying attitudes toward art depending upon their socioeconomic background, and that schools should place more emphasis on aesthetic education programs. (DB) Primary type of information provided by report: Results (Selective).