Posted on May 28, 2018 in
NEWSWORTHY
Fort Bend ISD (FBISD) is proud to once again be designated as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education, as named by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. This is the 9th consecutive year that FBISD has earned the award for demonstrating outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Fort Bend ISD was required to answer detailed questions regarding funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“In Fort Bend ISD, music education is an integral part of equipping students with skills outlined in the FBISD Profile of a Graduate. These skills include creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration, which are essential for future success,” said FBISD Director of Fine Arts James Drew. “Receiving the Best Communities for Music Education designation for the ninth consecutive year confirms the quality of our District’s music education programs and supports the FBISD Fine Arts Department vision of becoming the premier school district for Fine Arts education in the nation.”
This award recognizes that FBISD is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing, while leaving behind subjects such as music. 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. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University, a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including increased high school graduation rates and college attendance.
Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem-solving, and flexibility in work situations, as well as learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.
