The purpose of this study was to explore the possible relationship between instrumental music education in Grades 8 and 11 and critical thinking as assessed by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. The subsets that were examined included Reading (B): Interpretation and Analysis of Fictional and Nonfictional Text, which assesses the academic standards 1.1, Learning to read independently; standard 1.2, Reading critically in all content areas; standard 1.3, Reading, analyzing and interpreting literature, and Mathematics, sections C.1 Geometry- Analyze characteristics of two and three dimensional shapes, D.2 Algebraic concepts- Analyze mathematical situations using numbers, symbols, words, tables and/or graphs, and E.1 Data analysis and probability- Interpret and analyze data by formulating answers or questions (Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2009-2010). The sample consisted of Instrumental students (N = 50) and Noninstrumental music students (N = 50) over 2 graduated high school classes. The results indicated that the Instrumental music sample consistently outscored the Noninstrumental music sample when comparing the Reading B, Mathematics M.C.1, M.D.2, and M.E.1 subsections of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment with significant increases noted from 8th to 11th grade.

Featuring chapters by the world's foremost scholars in music education and cognition, this handbook is a convenient collection of current research on music teaching and learning. This comprehensive work includes sections on arts advocacy, music and medicine, teacher education, and studio instruction, among other subjects, making it an essential reference for music education programs. The original Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning, published in 1992 with the sponsorship of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), was hailed as "a welcome addition to the literature on music education because it serves to provide definition and unity to a broad and complex field" (Choice). This new companion volume, again with the sponsorship of MENC, explores the significant changes in music and arts education that have taken place in the last decade. Notably, several chapters now incorporate insights from other fields to shed light on multi-cultural music education, gender issues in music education, and non-musical outcomes of music education. Other chapters offer practical information on maintaining musicians' health, training music teachers, and evaluating music education programs. Philosophical issues, such as musical cognition, the philosophy of research theory, curriculum, and educating musically, are also explored in relationship to policy issues. In addition to surveying the literature, each chapter considers the significance of the research and provides suggestions for future study. Covering a broad range of topics and addressing the issues of music education at all age levels, from early childhood to motivation and self-regulation, this handbook is an invaluable resource for music teachers, researchers, and scholars.

The Oxford Handbook of Music Composition Pedagogy presents an illuminating collection of philosophy, research, applied practice, and international perspectives to highlight the practices of teaching and learning in the field of music composition. The Handbook offers various strategies and approaches in composition for teachers, music teacher educators, and students of music education.

Peterson's Private Secondary Schools is everything parents need to find the right private secondary school for their child. This valuable resource allows students and parents to compare and select from more that 1,500 schools in the U.S. and Canada, and around the world. Schools featured include independent day schools, special needs schools, and boarding schools (including junior boarding schools for middle-school students). Helpful information listed for each of these schools include: school's area of specialization, setting, affiliation, accreditation, tuition, financial aid, student body, faculty, academic programs, social life, admission information, contacts, and more. Also includes helpful articles on the merits of private education, planning a successful school search, searching for private schools online, finding the perfect match, paying for a private education, tips for taking the necessary standardized tests, semester programs and understanding the private schools' admission application form and process.

An index of state education journals.