Parent Power! Helping You Make Sense of Schooling Today

1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 204
Washington, DC 20036
1-202-822-9000
 1-800-521-2118

parentpower@edreform.com www.edreform.com

Published Monthly by
The Center for Education Reform
Jeanne Allen, President

Please contact us to share a unique experience as a parent educating your child or to comment about the contents of this newsletter.

Whenever a school budget is under the axe, it is presumed that music will be among the first of the budget items to be cut, as if there’s no fat in the budget elsewhere. For a long time, communities did not know how to justify why music was important to getting children a solid education. It just somehow made sense. Does music make a difference in the life of a student?
          Many music educators believe that studying music strengthens student’s academic performance. Their research suggests that the continuous building of music skills as part the curriculum can significantly improve a child’s performance in reading and math.
          So, how important is music education? It’s an argument which parents who favor music education have had a hard time making. But they shouldn’t have to struggle so hard.
          Music is a rigorous discipline. Pop superstar Michael Bolton says in a public service announcement for music education programs: “Getting an 85 percent on a math test is pretty good, but hitting 85 percent of the notes in a band rehearsal or at the piano recital isn’t good enough for most music teachers.” Music teachers, of course, will tell you that it is an essential part of any balanced curriculum, and they have some substantial evidence to back up this claim.
          College-bound students, for example, are advised by the College Board to include arts and music courses in their schedule to show that they have a broad range of interests. And this advice is based in reality: a few years ago, medical schools admitted music majors at a higher rate than any other group of applicants. And a veteran of high-tech triumphs in Silicon Valley once observed that the very best engineers and technical designers in the computer industry are, nearly without exception, practicing musicians.
          Regardless of a student’s college plans, music instruction can dramatically enhance a child’s abstract reasoning skills. This skill is also better developed by music education than computing classes, according to one study.
          So if your foot is tapping and your child’s isn’t yet, what makes for a good music education?
          Harlan D. Parker, Ph.D., coordinator of music education at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory of Music believes an appropriate music education program that exposes children to a variety of composers and styles helps children grow into intelligent music “consumers” later in life. A good music program gives flight to their fancy. By exposing children to music history, music literature, music in society — including singing in ensembles – children learn to appreciate sounds beyond the pop and rap fare available on the airwaves.
          So get with the beat and keep the budget cutters at bay. Let them know that the discipline of performing music helps kids develop habits that will allow them to perform better in all areas of their lives.

Inside you’ll find expert advice on how to help your child tap into his musical talents. For more information check out these websites:

• National Association for Music Education (www.menc.org) lists national standards for music education and many useful links.

• American Music Conference (www.amc-music.com) provides research information and great links.

(Look for more articles on the arts and education in coming issues of Parent Power!)