[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E487]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF NEW RESEARCH SUPPORTING THE BENEFITS OF 
                            MUSIC EDUCATION

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                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance 
of new research supporting the benefits of music education.
  The arts as an academic discipline have long been seen as an 
essential component of education. Recent scientific studies confirm 
what teachers of old have always known--music and the other arts 
stimulate higher brain function. Music education has been shown to 
elevate test scores in other subjects, particularly math. The Statement 
of Principles is an important document; it outlines seven basic 
concepts that, if followed, will maximize the benefits of arts 
education for all children. I entered these same Statements into the 
Congressional Record on September 10 so my colleagues might have a 
chance to review them.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a growing body of research demonstrating a 
causal link between the formal study of music and the development of 
spatial reasoning skills in young children. This past week new research 
from the University of California at Irvine has underscored this link 
by showing children who take piano lessons and play with newly designed 
computer software perform better on tests with fractions and 
proportional math than students not exposed to the piano lessons.
  These findings are especially important when one considers that a 
grasp of fractions and proportional math is a prerequisite to math at 
higher levels, and children who do not master these areas of math 
cannot understand more advanced math critical to high-tech fields.
  Music lovers like myself have long promoted music education as a way 
to inspire creativity, develop discipline, and cultivate an 
appreciation for the arts. Although we suspected gains in cognitive 
development, today we have the research to confirm it. I urge my 
colleagues to review the research and encourage families and educators 
in their Congressional districts to make music education a priority.

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