Trinh 1

Austin Trinh
DeBock
Block 2
February 17, 2015
Research Question: Should there be less budget cuts for music education in public schools?
Working Thesis: Music programs should not be cut or reduced in public schools today.
Refined Thesis Statement: Exposure and knowledge of music has many positive effects on
students and cutting music programs out of public schools today will produce detrimental effects
on society.
Annotated Bibliography
Catterall, James. "The Consequences of Curtailing Music Education." PBS. PBS, 27 Mar. 2014.
Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
This article talks about how music is a way for students to express their passion for
something. It says the same way that an athlete shows passion for the sport he or she plays, a
musician expresses passion for the music he or she plays and creates him or herself. This article
is beneficial to this essay because it explains how students need to be able to show their passions
for the activities they choose to participate in; students who are able to do what they are
passionate about are always happier and even better students in school.
Flaherty, Colleen. "Kids Not Cuts: First-to-go Programs May Struggle to Survive." Education
Votes. NEA Today, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

Trinh 2

This article speaks about how music education can improve students for the better in their
school work. This article elucidates the fact that students who participate in music classes have
been proven to further expand and enforce concepts in science and math. It also points out the
fact that it is important for students to have a well-rounded education because a diverse
education tends to lead to higher performance in schools, higher graduation rates, and higher
percentage of students attending college. This article is helpful to this essay because it helps to
explain how cutting music programs will not only hurt the music department, but instead it will
hurt other departments and eventually society itself.
Naithram, Richard. "How Music Education Powers the S.T.E.A.M. Movement - NEA
Today." NEA Today. National Education Association, 16 July 2014. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
This article talks about how arts education should not be reduced or removed in public
schools. It also explains how music gives students the chance to discover themselves and how
they fit into society. It shows how music develops many vital skills including communication,
collaboration, self-reflection, creativity, and innovation. This article is beneficial to this paper
because it helps demonstrate how music can be a positive effect on students lives and eventually
help them become better citizens in society.