For the sixth consecutive year, the Pasadena ISD has been selected as one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America." 
  The announcement of the honor was made on Wednesday by the National Association of Music Merchants.
  The NAMM selected 172 school districts across the nation for the honor. Fourteen of those school districts are in Texas.
  Pasadena, Fort Bend ISD and Katy ISD were the only three districts named from the Houston area. 
  "The district is proud of the outstanding achievements of our bands, choirs and orchestras," said Linda Fletcher, the Pasadena ISD's Executive Director of Fine Arts. 
  "Many of our student musicians receive scholarships to continue their music education in college. I salute the teachers, directors, students and their parents for their efforts in continuing to prove that our district is indeed one of the best places in the United States for music education."
  The honor is based upon a nationwide search for school districts whose scholastic programs exemplify a strong and unwavering commitment to music education. The NAMM considers such recognition an important way to support music education in times of funding cuts for many fine arts programs. 
  Districts nationwide are asked to complete surveys documenting their commitment to music education. The surveys are collected in collaboration with the Institute for Educational Research and Public Service, an affiliate of the University of Kansas.
  "Research continues to prove that student involvement in music education results in higher scores on standardized tests, including the SAT," Fletcher said. 
  "Additionally, there is documentation that students involved in music education at the secondary level have a lower dropout rate than the general student population."