Higher graduation rates affect not only the academic and personal life of the individual students, but also society as a whole. Graduation (versus dropping out) from high school translates into higher earning potential, less crime and incarceration, and less dependence on government assistance programs.
The most recent data shows that only 69 percent of students graduate from our nation's schools. Over the next decade it is estimated that more than 12 million students will drop out of school, resulting in an estimated loss to the nation of nearly $3 trillion.
"While there are bright spots in public education today, urban schools on the whole tend to suffer from a range of factors which contribute to poor student academic performance and low graduation rates," according to lead author, Robert D. Colbert, Ph.D., associate professor, and director of Neag School of Education's Diversity Council at University of Connecticut. "Students need to be provided with value-added educational programs that can provide opportunities for school success. Our study investigated one such program, Transcendental Meditation, which appears to hold tremendous promise for enriching the lives of our nation's students."
Analysis of school records at an East Coast urban high school was conducted with all 235 students enrolled during their senior year to determine on-time graduation. Findings showed a 15% higher graduation rate for the entire meditating group compared to non-meditating controls, after taking into account student grade point average. Subgroup analysis further indicated a 25% difference in graduation rates when considering only the low academic performing students in both groups.
According to Sanford Nidich, Ed.D, co-author and professor of education at Maharishi University of Management, "These results are the first to show that the Transcendental Meditation program can have a positive impact on student graduation rates. The largest effect was found in the most academically challenged students. Recently published research on increased academic achievement and reduced psychological stress in urban school students may provide possible mechanisms for the higher graduation rates found in this study."
Findings also showed significant differences for dropout rates and college acceptance. Meditating students were less apt to dropout from school, or enter prison, and were more likely to be accepted to post-secondary institutions. Future studies are being planned.
Research was funded by the David Lynch Foundation.
*Colbert, R.D. And Nidich, S. (2013). Effect of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Graduation, College Acceptance and Dropout Rates for Students Attending an Urban Public High School. Education, 133 (4), 495-501.
High School Graduation Rates
Among developed countries, the U.S. ranks eighteenth in high school graduation rates (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, 2007).
The most recent data from Diplomas Count 2010 shows that only 69 percent of the students in 2007 graduated from our nation's schools. At its peak in 1969, the national graduation rate was 77 percent.
Further, a racial and ethnic gap exists, with only 46 percent of African American, 44 percent of Latino, and 49 percent of Native American students earning a diploma.
About the Transcendental Meditation technique
The Transcendental Meditation® technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. Extensive peer-reviewed research studies have found that TM reduces stress and anxiety, improves learning ability, and promotes wellness for mind and body.
The TM technique is available in the USA through Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and foundations, full TM scholarships have been given to more than 250,000 at-risk children, veterans suffering from PTSD, homeless people, and others.
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