Thus, the findings pointed to a direct link between music instruction and math and science aptitude. Dr. Rauscher expanded her work to determine if this remarkable improvement could be found with children in a public school setting. She replicated her earlier study but used kindergarten students rather than preschoolers and group piano instruction rather than private lessons. She found that students receiving keyboard instruction outscored those who received no formal music training by an astonishing 48 percent on spatial reasoning tests. Because of this pilot study, Wisconsin's School District of Kettle Moraine now requires all kindergarten students in the district to receive piano keyboard instruction as part of the regular school curriculum.
Plans are underway to expand the program to students in every elementary classroom.
I know personally that this research represents the reality of the classroom. In my role working with schools in Florida, I had the opportunity to visit Gemini Elementary School. Teachers and administrators decided to replicate the studies by Rauscher and Shaw with their kindergarten students. The success at Gemini was the focus of a special on music education that aired on the program Good Morning America . Even more encouraging is that Gemini and Kettle Moraine are not alone.