Any STAAR test, I think we all can agree, is an excruciating five-hour experience. During that time period, many students undergo stress and exhaustion. However, if schools were to allow students to listen to music while testing, this could make these five hours of torture a little sweeter. Although some may argue that this causes students to be more so distracted, studies have shown that music improves the brain’s function and can prevent student distractions, like boredom or fellow classmate disruptions.
Some will argue that music would be a bigger distraction than the everyday pencil drops and chattering. If a student is distracted easily, music is not advised… Dr. Perham, research of music, stated, “…listening to music may dismay your cognitive abilities… memorizing things in order… thrown off or confused by the various words or notes in the song…” However, music can improve awareness, the ability to do mental math, and even lessens depression and anxiety.
In contrast, music can also improve brain functionally. For example, while taking the math test, music is a major bonus. Music and math are inextricably compatible, from counting rhythms to reading symbols. Information pertained from the “National Education
Longitudinal Study” by the U.S Department of Education, discovered that students involved in music had a higher mathematical achievement and proficiency in high school. Music not only strengthens your academic levels, it also prevents the issue of student interruptions, such as drowsiness, boredom, or other classmate disruptions. When a task is clearly given and repetitive in nature, studies have shown that music is consistently helpful. For example, HelpScout.org presented, “… a series of experiments have investigated the relationship between the playing of background music during the performance of repetitious work and efficiency in performing such a task…. gave strong support.” Also, HelpScout.org stated, “…assembly line workers showed signs of increased happiness and efficiency while listening to music.” While music may be distracting for some, for others, music helps brain functioning attributions.
A five-hour STAAR test could be enlightened with this proposal. Let us, as a society, change the amount of stress that children endure through school, increase their brain activity, efficiency, and mood through the privilege of music.