Evaluation of the Impact of Music Program Participation on Students’ Musical and Academic Success, and School Engagement in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools: A Comprehensive Test of Pathways and Contextual Factors

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of participating in music on student school engagement and academic achievement in a Metropolitan Nashville Public School district. Student records for the class of 2012 (N = 6,006) in a major urban school district were collected and examined for student personal characteristics, music participation, their indicated level of school engagement, and their academic achievements. These variables were examined using Structural Equation Modeling techniques. Results indicated that the quantity of Music Participation had an important effect on both the level of School Engagement and Academic Achievement. Conclusions indicate that more music involvement was advantageous to the school system’s overall performance, and that steps being taken to engage a wider cross-section of students might well have a significant impact on the students’ academic lives.