Our Impact

Positively impacting school communities and the lives of thousands of underserved students across New York City.

final evaluation (2021-2024)

Our Work Strikes a Chord

Education Through Music partnered with Metis Associates to conduct a three-year evaluation (2021–2024) to better understand the impact of its programming across academic performance, attendance, and school climate. The evaluation compared ETM schools to a set of matched NYC public schools with similar demographics and neighborhood contexts.

The evaluation revealed that ETM schools consistently outperform their matched peers in academic achievement and in attendance. In English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, a higher percentage of ETM schools scored above their district averages each year compared to comparison schools. Additionally, ETM schools showed significantly lower chronic absenteeism over the three-year period.

ELA

ETM schools outperformed non-ETM comparison schools by 15-30 percentage points across all three years.

Math

ETM schools outperformed non-ETM comparison schools by 3-17 percentage points across all three years.

Attendance

ETM schools reported lower absenteeism than non-ETM comparison schools by 13-17 percentage points across all three years.

interim evaluation

Achievement Through Music

Prior to the final cumulative evaluation across years 2021-2024, Metis also conducted an evaluation of multiple outcomes solely in ETM schools (without comparison to comparable ones).

During the 2023-24 school year. Metis worked closely with ETM to conduct a number of evaluation activities, including surveys of students, music teachers, school staff, and parents; focus groups with music teachers; and the collection of schoolwide data from the 2022-23 school year.

These findings also reveal positive impacts across academic achievement, interpersonal skills, and transferable skills. Based on teachers’ responses, ETM’s instruction fosters teamwork, engagement, and independence, as well as student growth in self-confidence, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Students reported that music education contributed to their attentiveness. Teachers, students, and parents indicated that music-making contributed to a positive school culture.

Of schools had stronger math achievement

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ETM families reported that music has helped to bring the school community together

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Of students reported growth in attentiveness

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Of schools had stronger ELA achievement

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Of teachers saw growth in students' self-confidence

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Of teachers saw growth in students' teamwork

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Of teachers saw growth in students' independence

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Of teachers saw growth in students' problem solving

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Of students feel they and their families are welcomed at school

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Our Historical Impact

Since 1991, ETM has been advancing educational equity in NYC schools while building a pipeline of high quality music teachers to strengthen the profession.

Hours of music instruction

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Students served

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NYC school partners

Teachers hired to NYC DOE since 2008

Voices from Our Community

Principal Alexei Nichols

P.S. 340 in the Bronx

The ETM music program has opened a new lens for learning and engagement! Music helps them feel successful and take pride in school! And, attendance on orchestra days is way up - they show up with a 'pep' in their step!

Partner School Student

The Laboratory School of Finance & Technology in the Bronx

Music class helped me realize what I’m capable of.

Principal Greta Ratjen

P.S. 72 in the Bronx

Our ETM concert was stellar and our large auditorium was packed with parents! It is so exciting seeing children walking into the school building carrying their band instruments with such pride and excitement! Even the neighbors around the school have commented on this - it is really impacting school culture and attendance!

Partner School Student

All Hallows High School

Music class has meant a lot to me, it has given me a platform to truly be myself and not worry about who’s watching.

Principal Pamela Gathers-Bullard

P.S. 154 in Queens

Music is mathematics, you have to count beats, and it’s reading, you have to read music. So these learnings are incorporated in the classroom with their music teachers. Because of this you do see those rises in performance scores and the kids feel successful.

Parent

ETM Partner School

I have personally witnessed the growth of confidence and self-esteem of the students as they engage through music. Thank you to the music teacher and ETM for making music here at our school.