Prediction of Music Achievement in the Elementary School

Abstract

This study examined several predictors of music achievement for general music students in the upper elementary grades: attitude toward music, self-concept in music, music background, academic achievement, and gender. Subjects were 144 fifth- and sixth-grade students in two Midwestern towns who received regularly-scheduled instruction from a music specialist. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the best single predictor of music achievement was the academic achievement test. The addition of the music attitude or self-concept measure produced a moderate increase in predictive power; the remaining variables were not effective predictors. The results of the study suggest that a teacher may be able to heighten music achievement by stressing music attitude or self-concept during music classes.

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