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Can meditation significantly improve academic standards in schools?

New research shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique may be an effective approach in improving academic achievement amongst low-performing students by as much as 40 per cent.

The study published in the journal Education was conducted with 189 high school students, aged 12 to 14, who were below proficiency level in English and Maths.

Those taking part in the Transcendental Meditation programme meditated for 15 minutes at the start and end of the school day, while the non-meditating students in the trial spent the 'Quiet Time' sitting quietly or reading.

The meditating students showed significant increases in maths and English scores over a one-year period. Forty-one percent showed a gain of at least one performance level in maths compared to just fifteen percent of the non-meditating students in the trial.

Change in academic achievement at the school in California were evaluated using results from standard end-of-year school tests.

Staff at the school also reported the Transcendental Meditation programme to be a valuable addition to the school. They reported the students to be calmer, happier, and less hyperactive, with an increased ability to focus on schoolwork. They also reported effects on the general school environment, including fewer fights, less abusive language, and an overall more relaxed and calm atmosphere.

"The results of the study provide support to a recent trend in education focusing on student mind/body development for academic achievement," said Dr. Ronald Zigler, study co-author and associate professor at Penn State, Abington. "We need more programs of this kind implemented into our nation's public schools, with further evaluation efforts."

Schools in the UK  with  Transcendental Meditation programmes in the classroom include the Maharishi School in Lancashire.

Education,  Volume 131; Number 3;  ISSN 0013I1172  Spring 2011

Read the full article at physorg.com


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