Race, Cognition, and Gender Gaps in Eighth-Grade Music Achievement

• In Event: 29.068 - Using NAEP Data to Understand What Students in the United States Know and Can Do

Abstract

The author examined race/ethnicity and gender gaps in music achievement using data obtained from the 2008 National Assessment of Educational Progress 8th grade music assessment. This study examined differences in performance of female and male students by race/ethnicity in music at national levels drawing from a sample of 8th grade national public and private school students. These results suggested that there are race/ethnicity and gender gaps in 8th grade music scores. With the passing of No Child Left Behind, increasing pressures are felt at all levels to close achievement gaps in music to ensure that every students reach benchmark proficiencies in music by the year 2014. Implications of these findings are imperative to improving music achievement outcomes for all students.

Author

• Colleen Pinar, Independent Researcher