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
