How Music Affects Test Scores in Mathematics K-6

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Recommended: The relationship between music and mathematics

Most people have been introduced to the idea that music has a positive impact on the field of education, especially in mathematics. This has been a back-and-forth battle between advocates for music and the arts in schools and those looking for ways to deal with budget cuts. Logically thinking, music is based on math in that it deals with patterns and ratios (Vaughn, 2000). Research has shown that music, both music education and simply listening to music, can benefit students. The purpose of this study is to look at how music can affect test scores in the subject of mathematics in grades kindergarten through sixth grade.
History of the Problem
The connection between music and education, especially mathematics, has been around for a long time. The ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras argued this point in the fifth century. Pythagoreans, those who followed Pythagoras, believed that music and math were so similar that they could be considered the same thing (Southgate & Roscigno, 2009).
Horace Mann is believed to be the first person to encourage that music be included in the core curriculum (Southgate & Rascigno, 2009). However, it seems like year after year, reports surface of more and more schools or educational districts that are removing arts programs due to budget cuts. When budget cuts are announced, it seems as though music programs are the first on the chopping block. But is the impact that these programs have on other areas taken into consideration? Boards of education tend to focus on test scores in reading and mathematics as marks of success or failure. But they do not focus on programs which can benefit these areas. Research has been done with this in mind, but the findings have not been con...

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...ent as needed. Students in grades 4 and 6 whose parents have given permission to participate in the study will only be given the regular scheduled basic music instruction.
Previous standardized test scores for students who are participating will be accessed for the purpose of finding a baseline. Test scores will then be compared at the end of the first school year to determine if music instruction has had a positive impact on mathematics scores. If no significant changes are found, music instructors will be given additional training to ensure that a good, quality music education is being provided to their students. These same students will then be followed for a period of two years. At the end of each year, test scores will compared. The final data will be analyzed to determine if music education can increase mathematics standardized test scores by 10 points.

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