A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF BAND AND NON-BAND PARTICIPANTS IN CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract

This study was intended to compare the academic achievement of students who participated in high school band classes with non-band participants. A problem of practice study was designed to provide data for principals who were creating transitional or remedial courses to benefit core courses. The creation of these courses presented potential scheduling problems that could be detrimental to music programs. Over 3,900 students were observed and a comparative analysis was performed using the following educational variables: (a) grade point average, (b) English 1 End-of-Course test proficiency, (c) Algebra 1 End-of-Course test proficiency, (d) Biology End-of Course test proficiency, (e) period attendance, (f) number of days of out-of-school suspension, and (g) dropout rates. Data was observed for all traditional high school students during the 2011-2012 school year. The study indicated that students who participated in at least one band class during the observed year experienced higher academic achievement than non-participants. The academic achievement of band participants was significantly higher than non-participants in six out of seven of the observed variables.