In honor of Arts Education Day, two associations released an analysis citing a correlation between enrollment in fine arts classes and academic achievement in a press conference Monday at the Capitol.

The Texas Music Educators Association, along with the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education that includes more than 50 fine arts education organizations, conducted a study that reported participation in fine arts courses leads to higher academic ratings and lower dropout rates in Texas middle schools and high schools, said Robert Floyd, executive director of the association and chair of the coalition.

"These findings are consistent with decades of research revealing that studying music and other arts disciplines improves cognitive abilities that are used in other academic areas such as math, reading and science," Floyd said.

The coalition's biggest concern is that the Legislature will put mandates on schools that will affect fine arts courses by diverting resources away from their curriculums, Floyd said. The analysis was initiated to make legislators more aware of the importance of the fine arts, he said.

"We hope our research will cause the Legislature to think twice before they pass a piece of legislation that might crowd out elective courses or resources," Floyd said.

Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, chairman of the House Public Education committee, has supported fine arts education in Texas, Floyd said. Eissler authored a House bill in 2003 that mandated fine arts education for every child in first- through fifth-grade. Both Eissler and Floyd said they agree that instruction in fine arts leads to academic success, and school curriculum should not solely be based on passing tests.

Evan Brown is a senior at R.L. Paschal High School, located in Fort Worth. He is also a member of the school's a cappella choir and said that his experience in fine arts helps him to stay more focused and to try harder in his endeavors.

"We talk about the left side of the brain and the right side of the brain. We don't want our kids to go off and compete internationally with half of their brain tied behind their back," Eissler said.

Furthermore, students enrolled in fine arts courses score from 6- to 11-percent higher on the SAT than students not enrolled in any of those courses, according to the analysis. The study shows that students who are involved in fine arts are more committed to school in general and that work ethic carries over when they go to college, Floyd said.

"We're not necessarily claiming that students blew the top off the SAT because they've been studying music for six years, but students who are strong academically also value their experience in the arts, and they're willing to put in the hard work needed," Floyd said.

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