With consultation and feedback from teachers, students, and principals, a “Theory of Change” was established to distil the complex processes that make up our activities into a linear and logical series of steps.
The results were extraordinary and some of the findings, as outlined in the above, include:
· 97% of overall respondents reported that the ACMF program had a moderate or major impact on providing a safe music program space for emotional expression amongst children
· 98% of school teachers said that ACMF music classes positively impacted social interaction and peer-acceptance
· 95% of respondents said that the ACMF music program had a major impact on increasing children’s resilience when faced with new challenges
· 85% of respondents said the ACMF music had a major or moderate impact on improving children’s ability to focus and engage on tasks during other lessons
- 91% of respondents said the ACMF music programs had a moderate or major impact on improving children’s communication skills
- Feedback that ACMF classes provide life skills, creativity and motivation, and improved academic engagement
This report wouldn’t have been possible without Future Generation Australia and Alberts | The Tony Foundation. Thank you for your continuing support and solidarity.
International Research into the Benefits of Music (The Music Trust)
Professor Margaret S. Barrett, world renowned researcher and music educator from the University of Queensland has conducted research on behalf of the ACMF. Her research has investigated the importance of music education for children in relation to creativity, early musical development, and the meaning and value of engagement in the music and arts activity. The ACMF was involved in the inquiry into the extent, benefits and potential of music education in Victorian schools by the Education and Training Committee of Victorian Parliament. The inquiry used case studies from Victorian schools as well as detailed research to explain the benefits of music for children.
For the full report, please click here.
The Music Trust released a study in 2013, International Research into the Benefits of Music (The Music Trust). This study demonstrated that music contributes to students’ personal wellbeing through developing self-esteem and cognitive development, including abstract thinking, aural and spatial awareness, verbal understanding, kinetic / motor skills and provides a means for personal expression, communication, and personal, social and cultural identity formation.
For the full report, click here.
Bridging the Gap in School Achievement through the Arts is another study into the gap in arts education in Australian Schools. The study investigated the huge disparity between students who study arts education and those who do not, highlighting the benefits of arts education on the emotional, academic and behavioural development of children.
For the full report, click here.