It’s Elementary: Academic and Social Outcomes Associated With Instrumental Music Enrollment

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Examining Instrumental Music Education (Table 5)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine short- and long-term academic outcomes of students who do and do not enroll in elementary instrumental music courses in fourth and fifth grade. Using state-level longitudinal data, we explored academic outcomes, tracking a single cohort of students from fourth grade through completion of high school. We leveraged linked administrative data from a State Longitudinal Data System, which allowed us to link K-12 course enrollment data, assessment data, teacher data, and postsecondary attendance data. The analytic sample included all students who attended a school district that offered elementary instrumental music as part of their official course enrollments (N = 55,250) who were in 3rd grade in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Authors

• Stephanie Prichard, University of Maryland

• David S. Miller, University of Kentucky

• Bri'Ann Wright, California State University - Fullerton