To determine the impact of music education on third grade student achievement, the following steps will be taken: 1) Gather and analyze test score data from the past three years to establish a baseline. 2) Conduct a literature review on the relationship between music and learning. 3) Integrate music into the third grade curriculum, with most classes receiving 30 minutes of music per week. 4) Collect current year test score data and compare to previous years' and a control group to evaluate the effects of the music program. 5) Present findings to the school board with the goal of hiring a full-time elementary music teacher.

2. Action StepsPerson(s) ResponsibleTimelineResourcesEvaluationGather and review data from past three years for 3rd grade test results.Amanda Salter, 3rd grade teachers.Finished by 9.30.10Last three years of test data for 3rd grade. To include math and reading TAKS scores, benchmark tests, and 3rd grade teacher interviews.All pertinent information will be displayed in easy to read graphs by the deadline. This will give us a starting point for the research.Literature review.Amanda SalterOngoing throughout the school year. Finished by 5.27.11Music and education journals, online websites, and music organizations such as Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) and the National Association for Music Educators (MENC).Prepared documentation and support of music in the curriculum. This documentation will be used in the final presentation to the school board. Articles will be referenced.Integrating music in the 3rd grade curriculum.Amanda Salter (music teacher), 3rd grade teachers8.23.10-5.27.11Music curriculum provided in part by Share the Music textbooks from MacMillan/McGraw-Hill.All but one 3rd grade teacher will teach the same music based lessons, and all but one of the 3rd grade classes will have 30 minutes of music each week.Data collection of 3rd grade test scores for the current school year (2010-2011).Amanda Salter, 3rd grade teachersOngoing throughout the school year. Finished by 5.27.11Resources include math and reading TAKS scores, benchmark tests, and 3rd grade teacher interviews.Information gathered will be put into easy to read graphs. Information will be compared to the previous three years data and the control group’s data.Presentation to school board.Amanda SalterJune 2011 school board meeting.All gathered data and evidence of music integrated into the 3rd grade curriculum and the impact it has on student achievement.School board presentation and evaluation. I would like the culminating effect to be the hiring of a full time elementary music teacher in order to support and advance student achievement.