NAMM Foundation-Funded Research Shows Music Education's Impact on
Standardized Test Results

"Sounds of Learning" study publishes data relating student success
with quality school music programs.

A recent music education study found that students in high-quality
school music programs scored higher on standardized tests than those
in schools with less intense music programs.

Dr. Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music
therapy and associate dean of the University of Kansas School of Fine
Arts, worked with graduate student Jenny E. Memmott to conduct the
research - the first study of its kind to examine the relationship
between the quality of music programs as a factor impacting test
scores, regardless of social economic level of school or school
district.

The study included 4,739 elementary and junior high school students in
four regions of the United States enrolled in top-notch music programs
and low-quality programs.

This research was part of the "Sounds of Learning: The Impact of Music
Education" Initiative, funded by the NAMM Foundation. There are
currently eight "Sounds of Learning" projects that are studying the
connections between music education and child development and music's
role in contributing to children's academic achievement and success in
school.

Representatives from schools involved in the study spoke about the
importance of music education from their perspective.

"I think what we see in schools, is that music provides a connection
to school - an instructor, a peer group and a higher level of
performance academically," says Stacey Yurkovic, principal of Prairie
Trail Jr. High School in Olathe, Kan. "And as a result of that, the
kids perform better on standardized tests. Kids in music programs have
a goal they are working hard toward. A daily routine to achieve a goal
- a performance - and in the end they achieve more than kids without
these goals."

The research was published in the Journal for Research in Music
Education, winter 2006, Vol. 54, No. 4. In the article, Johnson
explained, "It is crucial to note that this project had revealed a
relationship between quality of music instruction and academic
performance. This finding agrees with previous research that music
supports academic performance and extends our understanding of the
impact of quality music education programs in this period of high
stakes testing."

Date: 09/06/2010