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Time spent in out-of-school music activities

As part of the 2008 arts assessment, students in eighth-grade were asked about their participation in musical activities outside of their school. The actual question asked is in the table below.

Percentage of students at grade 8, by student-reported participation in musical activities outside of school: 2008
When you are not in school, do you ever do the following things on your own, not in connection with schoolwork? Percent
Play with a group, band, or orchestra 12
Sing in a group, chorus, or choir 17
Play a musical instrument on your own 38

Take private lessons on a musical instrument or in singing

 15
Listen to a musical tape, CD, or record 91
Talk with family or friends about music 62
View complete data with standard errors for each of the questions regarding Play in a group/band/orchestra, sing in a group/chorus/choir, play instrument on your own, take private lessons,listen to music/cd/tape, talk to family/friends about music.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2008 Arts Assessment.

Findings

  • In 2008, thirty-eight percent of eighth-graders reported that they played a musical instrument on their own outside of school.

Browse the NAEP questionnaires.

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National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics
National Assessment Governing Board
Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education