This report examines student participation and involvement in music courses over a five year period (1999-2000 academic school year through 2003-2004 academic school year). The results show that the percentage of students involved in music courses as well as the number of music teachers has decreased dramatically. The losses are disproportionate to those in any other academic subject.  Student participation in music declined by 46.5%, the largest of any academic subject area. The number of music teachers declined by 26.7% (1,053 teachers). Potential causes of declining participation include mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act and the budget crisis in California which eliminated the position of the Fine Arts Coordinator in many school districts. There are other possible explanations that need further study.

This report examines student participation and involvement in music courses over a five year period. The results show that the percentage of students involved in music courses has decreased dramatically.