New studies and a podcast argue that music should be prioritised in school curricula, showing its significant impact on student retention and performance across core subjects amid concerns over high dropout rates.
Music has a habit of being the first subject squeezed when school timetables tighten, but several studies suggest that may be a costly mistake. In a new podcast episode, Fun Music Company argued that schools often treat music as an optional extra, even though evidence points to it playing a central role in engagement, attendance and achievement.
One of the studies highlighted in the episode, from the Policy Analysis for California Education, found that students who take arts courses, including music, theatre, dance and visual arts, are less likely to drop out of high school than those who do not. The researchers were careful not to claim a direct cause-and-effect link, but they said the findings support the idea that arts education can help keep students connected to school.
The episode also pointed to research from the University of British Columbia showing that pupils who take part in music activities from grades 7 to 12 score higher in science, maths and English than their non-musical peers. A separate study in the Australian Journal of Music Education found that instrumental music participation helped explain differences in language arts results, even after accounting for factors such as IQ, socio-economic background and gender. Another paper in Music Education Research reached a similar conclusion, finding that music participation was associated with stronger performance in core academic subjects.
The wider context is just as stark. The Intercultural Development Research Association says Texas public schools are still losing one in five students before graduation, with a 21% attrition rate in the 2024-25 academic year. Against that backdrop, the argument made in the Fun Music Company episode is that music should not be seen as the subject to cut when time runs short, but as part of the solution to keeping children engaged enough to stay in school.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
