College Station ISD has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
Now in its 21st year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
“I am extremely proud that the College Station community has received this award,” CSISD Director of Fine Arts Eric Eaks says. “It is a testament to the high-quality, professional music educators we have throughout our entire school district. It also recognizes the support our music programs receive from district and campus administration and the community at large.”
To qualify, considerations are made based on funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the district’s music programs. These items are submitted by the district, verified with school officials, and then reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that College Station ISD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers. Students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well.
Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory.
A 2015 study supported by the NAMM Foundation, Striking A Chord, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.
Courtesy of Chuck Glenewinkel, CSISD Director of Communications
