Cuyahoga Falls schools' music education program receives national recognition
The Cuyahoga Falls City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education for the sixth year in a row.
Now in its 24th 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.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the Cuyahoga Falls City School District answeredquestions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructiontime, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs.Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute atthe University of Kansas.
"Music education programs provide more than just the opportunity for students to learn to play an instrument or sing," said Superintendent Andrea Celico. "They cultivate creativity, discipline, teamwork, and self-expression, skills that are essential for success both in and outside of the classroom. By investing in music education, we are investing in the future of our children and our communities."
Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 and a stated emphasison a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and artseducation programs. During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component tokeeping students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-roundededucational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievementgrants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used byschool districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skillbenefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers foundthat participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speechand reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in musicare not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college as well. In addition,everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without musictraining.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: NAMM Foundation recognizes Cuyahoga Falls schools' music program
