According to a recent statewide survey, student
involvement in extracurricular or cocurricular
activities makes students resilient to current
substance use among their peers. Secondary students
who participated in band, orchestra or choir
reported the lowest lifetime use of all substances.
- 1994 Texas School Survey of
Substance Abuse Among Students: Grades 7-12
All-State music students
consistently score over 200 points higher on the SAT
than non-music students, indicating that high
performing students have a strong interest in
pursuing serious music interests while excelling in
other academic areas. (see
All-State SAT Data
)
- TMEA Survey, 1988-98
A
recent study states that music majors have the
highest rate of admittance to medical school, a
whopping 66.7%. Biochemistry, the subject area
closest to medicine, has a rate of 59.2 %,
- Rockefeller Foundation
Music
students always outperform non-music students on
achievement tests in reading and math. Because of
their study of music, their skills are better in
reading, anticipating, memory, listening,
forecasting, recall and concentration.
- B. Friedman, "An Evaluation of the
Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in
Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes."
Arts
Education aids students in skills needed in the
workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve
problems and communicate; the ability to learn new
skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive
for excellence.
- Joseph M. Calahan, Director of
Corporate Communications, Xerox. Corporation
Participation in the fine arts engenders discipline,
a sense of community, trust, and teamwork. All of
these qualities are essential to a student's
potential success in the workplace.
- Dr. Mike Moses, Former Texas
Commissioner of Education
The
things I learned form my experience in music in
school are discipline, perseverance, dependability,
composure, courage and pride in results...Not a bad
preparation for the work force!
- Gregory Anrig, President,
Educational Testing Service
I
believe arts education in music, theater, dance and
the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we
have to find the gold that is buried just beneath
the surface. They (children) have an enthusiasm for
life, a spark of creativity, and vivid imaginations
that need training...training that prepares them to
become confident young men and women. As I visit
schools around the country I see a renewed interest
in arts education and a growing concern about the
negative impact of cutting art and music out of the
curriculum. The creativity of the arts and the joy
of music should be central to the education of every
American child.
- Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary
of Education
