FSU Professor finds that the more music and arts classes taken, the higher the student's achievement on tests

A study by Florida State University professor Steve Kelly, Ph.D., of Florida 12th graders of every ethnicity and all socioeconomic levels, demonstrated that the more music and arts classes taken, the higher the student achievement in all measures (SAT and Florida standardized tests). Dr. Kelly found: “Data, provided by the Florida Department of Education, of students from across the state, illustrate a powerful correlation indicating that individuals who participate in school music, art, theatre, and dance experiences achieve higher academic success in the classroom… Students in music (and other arts) classes must develop skills in aural listening, decision-making, spatial reasoning, kinesthetic movement, eye-hand coordination, and oral communication.

Research has shown that the development of these skills correlates to academic success in areas such as reading, mathematics, language development, communication skills, and critical thinking.”

Read the study here.