A new study published in the June 2013 issue of the journal Education (Vol. 133, No. 4)* shows practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique was associated with higher graduation rates, compared to controls.
Here are excerpts from the June 11th article from the online science news site, PsychCentral.
A new research study suggests that the practice of Transcendental Meditation may improve graduation rates and, consequently, benefit society as a whole.
Researchers believe improved graduation rates (versus dropping out) 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.
Robert D. Colbert, Ph.D
“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.”
The study, published in the journal Education, shows practice of Transcendental Meditation was associated with higher graduation rates, compared to controls.
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 percent 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 percent difference in graduation rates when considering only the low academic performing students in both groups.
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.
Researchers say the findings also showed significant differences for dropout rates and college acceptance.
Meditating students were less apt to drop out from school or go to prison, and were more likely to be accepted to post-secondary institutions.
Nauert PhD, R. (2013). Transcendental Meditation Linked to Higher Graduation Rates. Psych Central. http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/06/11/transcendental-meditation-linked-to-higher-graduation-rates/55899.html