Results

The Reading & Rhythm program increases reading scores by an average of 52%

Reading & Rhythm works through the revolutionary use of rhythm to convert the fear of failure into the will to fight to learn. It inspires students to create greater focus and build self-esteem, and trust their intelligence, creativity, and own natural ability to grasp ideas and facts. The brain needs rhythm to conduct complex tasks, according to recent research from University of California, Berkeley. Illiteracy is the power source of fear. Take away the fear, turn on the fight. Turn poor readers into great readers and keeps them out of jail. Following is a comment from a 3rd grade teacher on the effectiveness of the program:

“Not only has Gabriel’s reading level increased from a low, first grade level to a beginning third grade level in a very short time, but his reading comprehension has skyrocketed, and his spelling and vocabulary skills have greatly improved. His fluency went from 38 words per minute to 88 words per minute. The biggest improvement, however, is in Gabriel’s self-esteem and enthusiasm.”

–Sheila Bouffard, Teacher, Grade 3, Westminster Avenue Elementary School, Los Angeles –

Statistical Analysis

Fluency Test Scores B1A Cashman Elementary C
Reading & Rhythm with Control Group A1 Reading & Rhythm Stat Report 2014

Results of Statistical Analysis on Reading & Rhythm 2014 Executive Summary:

Independent statistical analysis clearly demonstrates the significant beneficial impact of our Reading & Rhythm (R&R) Program on children’s reading fluency and comprehension. Specifically, fluency for 2nd grade student groups receiving the R&R Program is almost twice as fast compared to those who do not receive the R&R Program. Fluency is also much faster among 5th grade student groups after the R&R Program. Similarly, testing results of 293 children from detention camps and family centers show that fluency increases by 55% (from 94.5 to 146.5 words per minute) for those receiving the R&R Program. Finally, the R&R Program results in 20% average increase in comprehension for a 4th grade student group in 4 weeks.

Gabby from Epic Charter School

Exhibit 1A – fluency with control groups – Westminster Avenue Elementary School (Venice, CA)

Methods – Mean post minus pre fluency change was compared by Reading & Rhythm program intervention (vs control), ethnicity and gender using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) model after confirming that the fluency change data followed the normal distribution. Separate analyses were carried out for 2nd and 5th grade. Gender and ethnicity adjusted mean fluency change is reported.

Results – Exhibit A1 shows that the overall mean post minus pre change in fluency In 2nd graders, is 32.3 words per minute for R & R compared to 18.2 words per minute in controls. This mean difference of 14.1 units is statistically significant (beyond chance) with p = 0.0182. While the mean fluency change was not identical by ethnicity or gender, the effects of ethnicity and gender were not statistically significant at p < 0.05. The effect of a teacher is confounded with R&R vs control. In 5th graders, the mean fluency change is 49.6 units for R&R compared to 4.6 units in controls, p < 0.0001. We do not know if ethnicity, gender or other factors are the same in the two groups of 5th graders..

Exhibit B1A – dataset of 293 children – detention camps and family centers (Los Angeles County)

Methods – Overall descriptive statistics on all 293 children are given and p values for comparing pre versus post means were computed using the paired t test. www.dfyl.org 8141 E. 2nd Street, Suite 340 Downey, CA 90241 stevenangel@dfyl.org Phone (562) 904-6775 Fax (562) 904-6770 Drumming for Your Life Institute hired Jeff Gornbein DrPH-Senior Statistician at the UCLA Statistical Bio-mathematical Consulting Clinic to provide a statistical analysis of the Reading & Rhythm program.

Results – The mean fluency increased from 94.5 words per minute to 146.5 words per minute (p < 0.001) and the mean (lack of) accuracy improved from 4.5 words to 1.2 words (p < 0.001). Exhibit C – comprehension – Charles C. Cashman Elementary School (Amesbury, MA) Method – Paired t test used to compute p value Results – The mean fluency increased from 94.5 words per minute to 146.5 words per minute (p < 0.001) and the mean (lack of) accuracy improved from 4.5 words to 1.2 words (p < 0.001).

Exhibit C – comprehension – Charles C. Cashman Elementary School (Amesbury, MA)

Methods – Paired t test used to compute p value.

Results – The pre to post change in comprehension in the 25 students in Cashman elementary school is significant as the mean increases from 22.6 to 27.2 (p < 0.001, paired t test).

Test Scores

The Reading & Rhythm program improves reading fluency and accuracy by an
average of 52% and/or three grade levels.

  • Open Court Language Arts (Standardized Testing) – 2002-2003
  • Open Court Language Arts (Standardized Testing) – 2001-2002

Life Skills Drumming Program

“The Arts Education Collective recognizes the important work that your organization is doing to bring about positive change in the lives of our youth” “On behalf of our entire Arts and Culture team, I wish to express our appreciation and admiration for all that you do.”

– Gregg Johnson, Program Manager, Arts Education. Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture

Evaluation created by Dr. Tom Cleary – Former Head Psychologist at LA County Department of Mental Health at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall – 2006.

Facilitator Clinton Cameron works twice a week with a group of at risk youth for five weeks and then he works with a new group of teenagers. This survey was taken with two of the groups.

Clients

Reading & Rhythm / Life Skills Drumming programs

  • 135th Street Elementary
  • ALMA Family Services Centers
  • Alta Pasa High School
  • Barry J Nidorf Juvenile Hall
  • Bellflower High School
  • Bethune Middle School
  • Camp McNair
  • Camp Mendenhall
  • Camp Munz
  • Camp Resnik
  • Camp Scudder Detention Camp
  • Carlos Santana’s Arts Academy
  • Carmelitos Housing
  • Centennial High School
  • Central Juvenile Hall
  • Century Wilton
  • Columbia Middle School
  • Compton College
  • Crossroads High School
  • Daniel Freemen Elementary School
  • (I Have a Dream®)
  • Drew Middle School
  • Duarte Public Library
  • El Nido Family Centers
  • Epic Charter Schools California
  • Epic Charter Schools Oklahoma
  • Fedde Middle School
  • Firestone High School
  • Florence Public Library
  • Foshay Learning Center
  • Franklin Elementary
  • Graham Public Library
  • Griffith Middle School
  • Harbor Hills Housing
  • Hollenbeck Middle School
  • Hollywood-Wilshire Public Health Center
  • Horace Mann Middle School
  • Humphrey Park
  • iLEAD Antelope Valley Hybrid
  • Montebello High School
  • New Directions for Youth
  • New Village Charter School
  • Noble Elementary
  • North Hills High School
  • North Long Beach High School
  • Pacoima High School
  • LA Parks and Recreation
  • LA Public Library Benjamin Franklin
  • LA Public Library Central
  • LA Public Library Hollywood Regional Branch
  • LA Public Library Pamela Park
  • LA Public Library Roosevelt Park
  • LA Public Library Watkins Park
  • LA Public Library Wilshire Branch
  • Le Conte Middle School
  • Legacy LA
  • Liggett Street Elementary School
  • Littlerock High School
  • Los Angeles Department of Mental Health
  • Los Nietos Middle School
  • Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
  • Manchester High School
  • Maxwell Elementary School
  • Marymount University
  • Men’s Community Reintegration Services & Education Center
  • Moffitt Elementary
  • Montebello High School
  • Northeast Mental Health Wellness Center
  • Pamela Park
  • Pomona Wellness Community
  • Ramona Gardens
  • Rio Hondo Education Consortium
  • Saint Alphonsus School
  • SALT4 Peer Resource Center & Clinic
  • Sheriff’s Academy High School
  • Sage Hill School
  • Sage Oak Charter School
  • Soto High School
  • South Bay High School
  • South Gate High School
  • St. Odilia School
  • Margaret’s Episcopal School
  • The Center
  • Topanga Elementary
  • Traweek Middle School
  • Tri-C Wilbrook High School
  • Ujima Village
  • Washington Intensive Learning Center
  • Washington Middle School
  • Webster Middle School
  • Weingart Center
  • Westminster Avenue Elementary
  • Westport Heights Elementary
  • Windward High School
  • Women’s Community Reintegration Services & Education Center
  • Wright Middle School

Rhythm of Learning Professional Development

  • 68th Street Elementary
  • 135th Street Elementary
  • Avalon Garden Elementary
  • Balboa G/Ha Magnet
  • Barton Hill
  • Bethune Middle School
  • Canyon Charter
  • Chapman Elementary
  • Chester Ninith School
  • Colfax Elementary
  • Corona Elementary
  • Crescent Heights Elementary
  • Crestwood Elementary
  • Dearborn Elementary
  • Del Amo School
  • Drew Middle School
  • Encino Elementary School
  • Foshay Learning Center
  • Germaine Street
  • Haskell Elementary
  • Jefferson Middle School
  • Lemay Street School
  • Liggett Street Elementary
  • Moffit Elementary
  • Nevada Avenue Elementary
  • Nueve Vista Elementary
  • Pacifica Elementary Charter School
  • Pomelo Drive Elementary
  • Revere Junior High School
  • Stonehurst Avenue Elementary
  • Stoner Elementary
  • Superior Elementary
  • Topanga Elementary
  • Van Deen School
  • Walden Elementary
  • Walgrove Elementary
  • Westminster Elementary
  • Windsor Elementary

Rhythm of Discovery

  • Betty Ford Institute
  • Bridges To Recovery
  • Dual Diagnosis Conventions
  • Genesis House
  • Harbor/UCLA Medical Center
  • Latino Behavioral Health Conference
  • Kedren Community Hospital
  • Mary Lind Foundation
  • Moonview Sanctuary
  • Multicultural Conference
  • Olive Vista
  • Releasing the Weight of Stigma Convention
  • Santa Monica College
  • Stronger Roots, Stronger Branches Convention
  • Vision

Rhythm of Empowerment

  • Rhythm of Empowerment
  • weSPARK Cancer Support Center

Testimonials Links

From Students

From Parents

From the Juvenile Justice System

From Educators – Reading & Rhythm

From Educators – Professional Development

From Addiction Recovery Institutions

From Health Institutions